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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. Why does Qfwfq make a sign?

2. What is the name of the man G'd(w)^n eventually marries?

3. Where does Qfwfq later meet Ayl again?

4. What does Qfwfq do when he locates Ayl?

5. What comes out of the fissures in the ground?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does G'd(w)^n make once matter begins to condense?

2. Describe Qfwfq's creation of a galaxy.

3. What does Granny say has happened after the darkness comes again at the end of the story?

4. What does Ayl do when she comes from her hiding place with Qfwfq and sees the colors?

5. What happens to the family and the planet after G'd(w)^n leaves?

6. How does Pfwfp disguise new atoms as old ones?

7. How does Mrs. Vhd Vhd act during her time trapped on the moon?

8. How does Qfwfq react after he sees that his sign is obliterated?

9. How is the sign like a name?

10. Describe Mrs. Ph(i)Nk_0.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout COSMICOMICS, perception affects and often creates reality. Discuss the relationship of perception and reality in COSMICOMICS.

1) How do others' opinions of Qfwfq (or the unnamed narrator) shape his opinion of himself and his actions in Calvino's stories?

2) In "All at One Point," how does shared perception create reality? Why is shared perception more powerful than individual perception?

3) How do the different characters' perceptions of change in "At Daybreak" and "Without Colors" affect their experience of reality?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the stories in COSMICOMICS revolve around love. Discuss love in Calvino's stories.

1) Who are the women that the central characters fall in love with? What attracts the central characters to women in the stories?

2) What do women love in the stories? How do the women interact with the men who love them, and with the ones they love?

3) Why are there no happy endings to the love stories in Calvino's collection? What ways does love end? What does this say about Calvino's attitude toward love?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout COSMICOMICS, Qfwfq feels judged by others, and characters enter into petty squabbles with each other. Discuss judgment throughout COSMICOMICS.

1) In "A Sign in Space," why does Qfwfq feel judged? What reasons does he have to feel that others are judging him? How does he judge himself?

2) In "All at One Point," how do the characters judge and criticize each other? Why is Mrs. Ph(i)NK_0 immune to this judgmental behavior?

3) How do Qfwfq and his uncle judge each other in "The Aquatic Uncle"? Where do their opinions of each other stem from?

4) In "The Light-Years," why does the narrator feel judged? How does he judge himself? How does his perception of being judged affect his actions and his relationship with others?

(see the answer keys)

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