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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the doctor from Johns Hopkins who gave the name depression to the disease?
(a) Dr. Adkins.
(b) Dr. Gold.
(c) Dr. Adolf Meier.
(d) An unnamed psychiatrist.

2. What is the term Styron uses to better describe what is happening to a person with depression?
(a) Mourning for loss.
(b) A blue funk.
(c) A brain storm.
(d) A weak psyche.

3. According to Styron, what often leads depressed people to commit suicide?
(a) Because they don't love their families like other people do.
(b) Because they don't have a very strong will to live.
(c) Because depression is so deep they can't see any other way out.
(d) Because of moral weakness and lack of character.

4. What reaction does Styron have to a flock of Canadian geese?
(a) He tries to shoot them.
(b) They temporarily restore his good feelings.
(c) He thinks they are graceful.
(d) He is frozen in anxiety at the sight of them.

5. What bothers Styron so much about not being able to meet Camus?
(a) It meant Camus couldn't hear about winning the award.
(b) It meant there was another suicide in his circle of friends.
(c) Because it meant he barely missed getting to meet the man whose writing he so admired.
(d) It meant he had to go to his luncheon with Lady del Duco.

6. What city is Styron in at the beginning of the memoir?
(a) Rome.
(b) Atlanta.
(c) New York.
(d) Paris.

7. What effect does Styron's op-ed piece have on the general public?
(a) Many felt he didn't deserve the del Duco award.
(b) Many suffering from depression were suddenly willing to come forward and admit it.
(c) Many people thought Styron was weak.
(d) Many felt he was justified in feeling depressed.

8. What Camus novel has a profound impact on Styron?
(a) "The Stranger."
(b) "Paradise Lost."
(c) "Reflections of Life."
(d) "The Long Day."

9. At what point in one's life does Styron say the seeds of depression are planted?
(a) In middle age.
(b) In childhood.
(c) In early adulthood.
(d) There is not one particular time, it varies.

10. Who arranges a meeting between Albert Camus and Styron?
(a) Rose Styron.
(b) Cino del Duco
(c) William Styron.
(d) Romain Gary.

11. What happens before Styron meets with Camus?
(a) Camus leaves Paris.
(b) Camus dies in a car accident.
(c) Camus gets upset at Styron for his moods.
(d) Camus leaves on his honeymoon.

12. How old was Styron when he published his first novel?
(a) 35.
(b) Mid-20's.
(c) 40.
(d) 15.

13. Sir Walter Scott and the Brontes linked what two illnesses interchangeably?
(a) Cancer and depression.
(b) Influenza and depression.
(c) Melancholia and hypochondria.
(d) Lukemia and depression.

14. In what way does Styron's depression come upon him?
(a) It hit him suddenly one night.
(b) Slowly in increments.
(c) He really didn't know how it happened.
(d) A slight sadness intensified rapidly over time.

15. What does Styron think of these two people, who were close literary friends?
(a) He thinks they should have won the award.
(b) He doesn't think their writing was very good.
(c) He thinks they should move to America where they would be more recognized.
(d) He thinks they both had depression.

Short Answer Questions

1. Though Styron feels alone, who is always with him?

2. What pressing question does Styron have about the course of depression?

3. What is the award Styron receives?

4. During one sleepless episode, what does Styron realize about his illness?

5. How did Levi commit suicide?

(see the answer keys)

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