View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The ruler at the center of two vignettes decides to bring only which members of his family along during his escape?
(a) His children.
(b) His sisters.
(c) His wives.
(d) His parents.

2. What book does Erik read again and again while he is in prison?
(a) In Cold Blood.
(b) A Tale of Two Cities.
(c) A Clockwork Orange.
(d) Moby Dick.

3. What type of receptacle is featured in the vignette about the collection of oddities?
(a) A cupboard.
(b) A bucket.
(c) A cabinet.
(d) A sink.

4. The narrator urges the reader to write at least one sentence on which platform?
(a) Wikipedia.
(b) Twitter.
(c) Imdb.
(d) Facebook.

5. The narrator remarks that rarity is frequently rewarded with what?
(a) Integrity.
(b) Immortality.
(c) Value.
(d) Constancy.

Short Answer Questions

1. One vignette describes which people's practice of mummifying their loved ones' heads?

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

3. What emotion does Dr. Blau see when he looks into the man's eyes who also hopes to discover preservation secrets?

4. The vignette entitled "Media Presenters" describes what type of vehicle lying in blood and gasoline?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the theme of violence present within the story about the sultan?

2. What type of metaphor does Tokarczuk use to describe the river near her childhood home and why?

3. What discordant image is at the center of the vignette entitled "Cleopatras"?

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

5. How does the unnamed narrator feel about islands and why?

6. What coping mechanism does Kunicki primarily use to deal with the stress of his missing wife and son?

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

8. What is the message contained within the vignette entitled "Travel Sizes"?

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

10. According to the unnamed narrator, what is possibly "the greatest wonder of the world" (72) and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 916 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample