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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Qfwfq bet that there will be atoms?
(a) He reads a sign from a previous universe and interprets that it means there will be atoms soon.
(b) He sees one atom and realizes that more will probably follow soon.
(c) He gets a strange feeling like the weather is changing and intuits that atoms are coming.
(d) He makes mathematical calculations and predicts the atoms are coming.

2. What does the narrator say the sign "This time I like you." refers to?
(a) The time he ignored the doorbell because he didn't wat to see his great-aunt.
(b) The time he wore mismatched socks.
(c) The time he left a manuscript on a train.
(d) The time he locked himself out of his house.

3. What does Qfwfq think of N'ba N'ga's way of speaking?
(a) His singsong speech is annoying.
(b) His language is archaic.
(c) His interesting metaphors are enlightening.
(d) He speaks in riddles that are difficult to understand.

4. Which of the following impossible fantasies does the narrator have in his shapeless form?
(a) Whistling.
(b) Shaking someone's hand.
(c) Snapping his fingers.
(d) Crossing his legs.

5. How often does the whole family visit N'ba N'ga to get his advice?
(a) Once a year.
(b) Once a century.
(c) Once a month.
(d) Once a decade.

6. How does Qfwfq feel about N'ba N'ga?
(a) Qfwfq is embarrassed by N'ba N'ga.
(b) Qfwfq is afraid of N'ba N'ga.
(c) Qfwfq loves N'ba N'ga.
(d) Qfwfq is jealous of N'ba N'ga's watery home.

7. How does Lieutenant Fenimore react when the narrator indicates he's seen a universe?
(a) He is horrified.
(b) He is thrilled.
(c) He is contemptuous.
(d) He is irritated.

8. After the narrator speculates that Ursula H'x and Lieutenant Fenimore might have met at some time in the past, what does he deduce from this speculation?
(a) That Ursula H'x and Lieutenant Fenimore will circle around and meet again.
(b) That Ursula H'x developed a love for Lieutenant Fenimore.
(c) That Ursula H'x and Lieutenant Fenimore are moving away from each other.
(d) That Ursula H'x developed a dislike for Lieutenant Fenimore.

9. Why is Lll more agile than Qfwfq?
(a) She is younger than Qfwfq.
(b) She has run races all her life.
(c) She was born on land.
(d) She has a new kind of knee joint.

10. What example of a detailed bet that he makes does Qfwfq give?
(a) Where the Great Pyramids will be located.
(b) What shape Australia's coastline will take.
(c) How deep the Grand Canyon will be.
(d) Whether the Assyrians will invade Mesopotamia.

11. What does the first sign the narrator sees say?
(a) I saw you.
(b) I know it.
(c) I saw it.
(d) I know you.

12. What swarm of insects does the narrator describe flying through the air in the second part of the story, in the railway embankment scene?
(a) Mosquitoes.
(b) Butterflies.
(c) Flies.
(d) Bees.

13. What are the main things the narrator is aware of beyond himself?
(a) The mud and the plants.
(b) The rock and the water.
(c) The dirt and the rain.
(d) The sky and the air.

14. What does the mollusk think of the development of eyesight?
(a) It's a terrible curse for those who have it.
(b) It's impossibly difficult.
(c) It's a trivial task compared to making a shell to be seen.
(d) It's something that eventually all things must do.

15. What sign does the narrator read that at first he's happy about, but later is disappointed by?
(a) Hey, fella, good job.
(b) That character's really on the ball.
(c) This guy's pretty swell.
(d) Who's that fantastic fellow?

Short Answer Questions

1. What does N'ba N'ga say his relatives get from living on land?

2. Why is the narrator certain Ursula H'x and Lieutenant Fenimore can't meet?

3. What unplanned benefit does the shell give the narrator?

4. What sign does the narrator finally choose as his response to the first sign?

5. What variables does the narrator use to refer to the two moments in his life that he thinks others must be observing from far-away galaxies?

(see the answer keys)

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