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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator pursues a degree in what discipline during her time at the university?
(a) Education.
(b) Psychology.
(c) Biology.
(d) Philosophy.

2. How many of the first vignettes focus on the narrator's motivations for writing?
(a) 7.
(b) 2.
(c) 5.
(d) 3.

3. What object is used to symbolize the tendency of certain people to seek life improvement through travel?
(a) A pair of dice.
(b) A lottery ticket.
(c) An egg timer.
(d) A poker hand.

4. What motivation drives humans to travel, according to the lectures focused on travel psychology?
(a) Boredom.
(b) Ennui.
(c) Curiosity.
(d) Desire.

5. For what reason does the narrator believe that her own body will not undergo a transformation at the time of her death?
(a) She has too many pessimistic qualities.
(b) She believes that she has not served humankind.
(c) She is not a devout practicer of religion.
(d) She believes that she has been too happy as a mortal being.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator deems her friend who does not like to travel alone to be a bad what?

2. The narrator enjoys the idea of performing what activity as a moral obligation to one's people?

3. One of Flight's vignettes sees the narrator judging a friend of hers who hates to travel in what manner?

4. With what form of comfort does Kunicki console himself after the disappearance of his wife and child?

5. The vignettes mentioning Menchu focuses on what type of ruler?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is personification used to underscore the deep love Blau has for the study of anatomy?

2. The narrator's use of the word pilgrim throughout the novel is an allusion to what great work of literature?

3. What are the narrator's feelings about guidebooks?

4. How is repetition used within the story about Kunicki and for what purpose?

5. To what advice does the title "Guidance from Cioran" refer?

6. What is ironic about Blau's "unproblematic" (133) romantic life prior to his marriage?

7. Since childhood, what sight has filled Blau with a feeling of happiness and fulfillment?

8. How does the theme of deception arise within Blau's visit to Mrs. Mole's home?

9. Describe the unnamed narrator's first childhood experience as a traveler.

10. Discuss an instance of Tokarczuk employing satire in order to poke fun at a particular group.

(see the answer keys)

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