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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What first attracts the narrator of "The Piazza" to a building far in the mountains?
(a) A river runs through it.
(b) A rainbow ends there.
(c) It's exactly ninety degrees ahead of his piazza.
(d) The windows shine like gold.

2. What effect does the Marquis de Grandvin have on those around him?
(a) His presence is enriching.
(b) His presence is embarrassing.
(c) His presence is irritating.
(d) His presence is confusing.

3. What impresses the narrator about the mill?
(a) The clean air and water.
(b) The gigantic press machine.
(c) The cheerfulness of the workers.
(d) The efficiency of the operation.

4. Who finally persuaded the narrator of "I and My Chimney" to knock a few feet off the chimney?
(a) His mortgage holder
(b) His wife.
(c) His daughters.
(d) His neighbor.

5. What does the narrator in "The Paradise of Bachelors" say has become of the Knights Templar?
(a) They've become doctors.
(b) They've become schoolteachers.
(c) They've become lawyers.
(d) They've become warriors.

6. What contributes to the narrator's thoughts about the apple-tree table being supernatural?
(a) The table is Satanic-looking.
(b) The table is old.
(c) The table is unusually beautiful.
(d) The table is inscribed with signs and symbols.

7. What first alarms the narrator about the apple-tree table?
(a) A mysterious odor.
(b) A sense of pervading evil.
(c) A steady drip.
(d) A ticking sound.

8. What loss of John Gentian's is noticed most on May thirtieth?
(a) His blinded eye.
(b) His limp.
(c) His empty sleeve.
(d) His missing ear.

9. How does the narrator in "The Lightning Rod Man" feel about the storm before the salesman arrives?
(a) He thinks the storm "thought-provoking."
(b) He thinks the storm is "radiant" and "beautiful."
(c) He thinks the storm is "grand" and "glorious."
(d) He thinks the storm is "terrifying."

10. How did Captain Delano evaluate the relationship between Benito Cereno and Babo?
(a) A distressing lack of respect.
(b) An enviable spectacle of fidelity.
(c) A frightening scene of dependency.
(d) A shocking breach of convention.

11. What disease does Captain Delano learn has swept off much of the crew and cargo of slaves?
(a) Rickets.
(b) Scurvy.
(c) Malaria.
(d) Cholera.

12. On what holiday does John Gentian converse with passers-by?
(a) Easter.
(b) Christmas.
(c) The Fourth of July.
(d) Thanksgiving.

13. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" decide never to leave home?
(a) He is standing guard over the chimney.
(b) He is "sour and unsocial."
(c) He is busy rebuilding the house.
(d) His wife won't permit it.

14. How does the narrator of "The Apple-Tree Table" feel as his wife and daughters become more frightened?
(a) He feels braver.
(b) He feels numb.
(c) He feels worse.
(d) He feels more frightened than they.

15. In "The Piazza," how does the narrator's house look to the inhabitants of the mountain cottage?
(a) Like a palace.
(b) Like a prison.
(c) Like a happy place.
(d) Like a mansion.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the attitude of the bachelors in the Temple toward pain and trouble?

2. Why had Jimmy Rose never married?

3. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" identify with his chimney?

4. Why does the narrator of "The Piazza" believe the soil is richer around the cottage that he finds?

5. What does Benito Cereno say has happened to his partner, Alexandro Aranda?

(see the answer keys)

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