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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Onto what object does Tom Benecke hold when he reverses his backward momentum in order to save his own life?
(a) The narrow wood stripping of the window pane.
(b) The wooden frame of the metal screen.
(c) The wide metal stripping of the window pane.
(d) The flag pole.

2. What adjective is used to describe the "barrier" (37) Tom Benecke erects between his mind and body?
(a) Steel.
(b) Brittle.
(c) Flimsy.
(d) Fortified.

3. When a movement from Tom Benecke's desk catches his eye, what does the movement turn out to be?
(a) A mouse.
(b) The ceiling fan.
(c) Cigarette smoke.
(d) The oven timer.

4. What is NOT a characteristic Tom Benecke imagines his apartment to be when he conjures the image in his mind?
(a) Incredibly spacious.
(b) Full of guests.
(c) Warm.
(d) Cheerful.

5. How wide are the "wood strips" (43) onto which Tom Benecke holds in order to save his own life?
(a) One inche.
(b) A half an inch.
(c) Two inches.
(d) A quarter of an inch.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Tom Benecke is finally able to move again, he is said to move with what type of "slowness" (36)?

2. What is NOT a physical ailment Tom Benecke is experiencing by the time he considers the length of time before Clare Benecke's arrival?

3. In what way must Tom Benecke look at the windows of the apartment building across the street?

4. Which body part belonging to Tom Benecke smacks down beside the window as the window closes?

5. Tom Benecke opens his eyes very wide once he feels "a sudden rush of" (38) what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What element of the movement inside Tom Benecke's apartment shocks him?

2. Describe the way in which canine-involved language is used within the story and for what purpose.

3. What features of the building does Tom Benecke use as finger-holds during his venture?

4. What conclusion does Tom Benecke reach about the act of looking down?

5. What is Finney's purpose for allowing Tom Benecke's shouts for help to go unanswered?

6. What is the setting of the story and how does it affect the story's mood?

7. What objects does Tom Benecke use in an attempt to break the window?

8. How is the motif of the carnivalesque apparent within Tom Benecke's image of what he will do when he regains access to his apartment?

9. In what manner does Tom Benecke find the yellow sheet of paper?

10. What is the significance of Tom Benecke's act of spitting out the object that is in his mouth?

(see the answer keys)

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