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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Vonnegut's late grandfather, Bernard, whom Vonnegut never meets, scorn?
(a) His grandchildren.
(b) His birthplace, Indianapolis.
(c) His high school, Warren Central.
(d) His son, Kurt Vonnegut Sr..

2. Requiem masses are customarily sung in what language?
(a) French.
(b) Latin.
(c) Italian.
(d) Spanish.

3. Why does the general at the ROTC inspection write down Vonnegut's name, which seems to lead to Vonnegut never rising above Private First Class?
(a) Vonnegut arrives late to the inspection.
(b) The general thinks Vonnegut is not a good soldier.
(c) Vonnegut plays a practical joke.
(d) Vonnegut argues with the general.

4. What limits Algren's popularity?
(a) A penchant for truth.
(b) His distinct odor.
(c) His lack of connections.
(d) His foul personality.

5. To what does Vonnegut compare censorship's always being on the rise, around, and undiagnosed?
(a) Heart disease.
(b) Diabetes.
(c) Alzheimer's.
(d) AIDS.

6. In Fates Worse Than Death, humorist Kurt Vonnegut examines the blindness of the American people to the hypocrisy of what administration?
(a) Reagan Administration.
(b) Carter Administration.
(c) Clinton Administration.
(d) Smith Administration.

7. The gestation period of 'possums is twelve days and Indian elephants twenty-two months. What does the author believe is the gestation period for American liberty?
(a) 100 years.
(b) 20 years.
(c) 200 years.
(d) 10 years.

8. What does Vonnegut believe it is time to hear?
(a) The ringing of the Liberty Bell.
(b) Liberty's lusty birth cries.
(c) The cry for freedom.
(d) Cries of love for all people.

9. How is the character Bill Pilgrim different from Joe Crone?
(a) Bill Pilgrim commits suicide, while Joe Crone become a doctor.
(b) Bill Pilgrim is shy and sad, while Joe Crone is an enthusiastic extrovert.
(c) They are from different cities in the United States.
(d) Joe Crone starves himself to death, while Bill Pilgrim returns home to become an optometrist.

10. To what author's work does Vonnegut compare the Bill of Rights' First Amendment?
(a) Dr. Seuss.
(b) Michael Crichton.
(c) J.K. Rowling.
(d) Dr. Dre.

11. Vonnegut references what Biblical story to his belief that people find life too hard and disappointing to act on repairing it?
(a) The Last Supper, with Jesus accusing Mark instead of Judas.
(b) Noah's Ark, as a sinking vessel with half its animals already dead.
(c) Buddha sitting by the tree, but not becoming enlightened.
(d) Adam and Eve not taking a bite from the forbidden fruit.

12. Vonnegut believes that the goal in the U.S. is only to train intelligent, well-educated people to do what?
(a) Speak slowly and carefully.
(b) Speak cautiously and quietly.
(c) Speak stupidly and gain popularity.
(d) Speak rudely and arrogantly.

13. Who translates Vonnegut's requiem into Latin?
(a) Collin P. Miller.
(b) John F. Collins.
(c) Thomas R. Collins.
(d) Collin F. Johnson.

14. What does Vonnegut wish his father had insisted he study?
(a) Architecture.
(b) Law.
(c) Engineering.
(d) Painting.

15. Does Vonnegut believe that most civilians can be considered a "well-regulated militia?"
(a) Only those civilians who pass a test should be considered part of a militia.
(b) Most civilians can be considered a "well-regulated militia."
(c) Only men can be part of a militia.
(d) Not unless they are recruited, led, motivated, or restrained by anything but their own perceptions.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who founds the Indianapolis chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1955?

2. Who is the Cody, Wyoming, artist who is America's foremost adventurer in the Abstract Expressionist movement?

3. Why is Vonnegut drawn to the text?

4. Why do psychiatrists believe Mark is a misdiagnosed depressive?

5. What ethnic groups does the Attorney General's Commission label as "terrorists" whenever possible?

(see the answer keys)

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