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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What Irish actor does the blind man quote in saying “When I drink water, I drink water. When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey”?

2. What does the blind man take from his back pocket as he and the narrator are talking and watching television late at night?

3. The narrator describes his legs as feeling as though he’s just done what when he gets up to look for a pen and paper?

4. What does the narrator say about his and his wife’s sleeping patterns in the story?

5. When the blind man asks the narrator to describe a cathedral to him, what is the first thing the narrator says?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator describe Robert’s eyes in the story?

2. What is signified by the narrator’s choice to keep his eyes closed at the end of the story?

3. What does the blind man suggest when he feels the drawing is complete? How does the narrator respond?

4. What can the reader discern of the narrator’s jealousy through the exposition in the beginning of the story?

5. How is the narrator’s “blind drawing” experience described?

6. How is the post-dinner conversation described by the narrator? What prompts him to turn on the television?

7. What is Robert’s response when the narrator offers him marijuana after dinner? What is his experience with the drug?

8. When and where was “Cathedral” first published? What awards was it nominated for?

9. Where in “Cathedral” does the climax of the narrative take place?

10. How did the narrator’s wife come to know the blind man? How is this information revealed in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of Robert in “Cathedral.” How old does Robert appear to be? What does the narrator remark about his facial hair? How is Robert dressed? How does Robert differ from the narrator of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of “rebirth” and the transformation of the narrator from the beginning of the story to the end. How do you think the narrator has changed from his interactions with Robert? Do you think this change is a good thing? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the narrator as the protagonist of “Cathedral.” Approximately how old would you say the narrator is? What is his race and ethnicity? Where do you think the narrator works, based on the text?

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