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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the author use as a recurrent symbol of U.S. political stupidities?
(a) President George Bush's support of the NRA.
(b) President George Bush's call for a constitutional amendment outlawing flag burning.
(c) The Bill of Rights' First Amendment.
(d) The NRA militia commercials.

2. In what year does the author's father die?
(a) 1947.
(b) 1857.
(c) 1977.
(d) 1957.

3. What is the name of the infant that the Vonneguts adopt?
(a) Leslie.
(b) Rose.
(c) Lily.
(d) Rachel.

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

5. What is one thing Vonnegut mentions in his letter to the future?
(a) Countries in the future should stop communicating with one another.
(b) Future generations need to use more petroleum for fuel.
(c) Leaders of the future should fix the environment issues through scientific discoveries.
(d) Today's rulers need to stop thinking science can fix anything for $1 trillion.

6. 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.

7. What does Vonnegut create during his summers at Lake Maxincuckee in southern Indiana?
(a) Camp fires.
(b) His first map of the world.
(c) A wooden canoe.
(d) Imaginary friends.

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

9. What date lives forever in infamy for Vonnegut?
(a) O'Hare's death.
(b) His sister's birth.
(c) The day he is first married.
(d) the day of his mother's suicide.

10. What is the title of the book Jane writes about raising their kids on Cape Cod?
(a) On a Wing and a Prayer.
(b) Angels Without Wings.
(c) My Children, My Angels.
(d) Angels in Heaven.

11. Vonnegut Sr. is denied his dreams by what event?
(a) World War I.
(b) The Civil War.
(c) The Great Depression.
(d) September 11, 2001.

12. What does Vonnegut assert is often Hemingway's male characters' greatest reward?
(a) Winning the heart of a woman.
(b) Becoming enlightened.
(c) Winning a battle.
(d) Males feeling love for one another in proximity to danger.

13. What mental illness does the author's son suffer and recover from?
(a) Depression.
(b) Schizophrenia.
(c) Anxiety.
(d) Bipolar disorder.

14. Why does Vonnegut feel lucky to have been born in Indianapolis?
(a) He treasures the friendships he made in Indianapolis.
(b) It is a beautiful city.
(c) He receives a rich and humane primary and secondary education.
(d) Indianapolis is the center of the art world.

15. Why is Father desperate for uncritical female friendship?
(a) His wife is thoughtful and caring.
(b) His wife says hateful, horrible things to him late at night.
(c) He has never had a female friend.
(d) His daughter is very critical of him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What tribal name do the Vonneguts give themselves?

2. Vonnegut believes that the goal in the U.S. is only to train intelligent, well-educated people to do what?

3. The Reverend finds "Slaughterhouse Five", as well as "Deliverance" and "Catcher in the Rye," falling short in what way?

4. What do the free speech provisions of the First Amendment make Vonnegut want to do?

5. Vonnegut references what Biblical story to his belief that people find life too hard and disappointing to act on repairing it?

(see the answer keys)

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