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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does De Botton wonder can be separated from his or her work in Chapter 4?
(a) Artists.
(b) Singers.
(c) Musicians.
(d) Writers.

2. What is the finger placing ability, according to De Botton?
(a) The ability to understand the power of knowledge.
(b) The ability to point in any direction and find comfort in it.
(c) Being able to locate where you know something or someone.
(d) An increase in our own perceptive powers to discover something in us from our reading.

3. How many years had it been since Proust visited the Louvre when he responded to the newspaper's poll?
(a) He had never been.
(b) 5 years.
(c) 15 years.
(d) 10 years.

4. When did Proust begin to work on his masterpiece?
(a) When his dad died.
(b) When his mom died.
(c) After both of his parents died.
(d) After he quit working at the library.

5. Who was the artist of Old Man and the Boy?
(a) Domenico Ghirlandio.
(b) Domnico Ghirland.
(c) Ghirlandiouso.
(d) Garland Domenion.

6. Who is Marcel Proust?
(a) A historian.
(b) An politician.
(c) The subject of De Botton's book.
(d) A singer.

7. What was Proust's life filled with?
(a) Missteps in physicality and psychology.
(b) Missteps in intellect.
(c) Missteps in physicality.
(d) Missteps in his upbringing.

8. How would great stories of literature become boring?
(a) If they omitted details and left only facts.
(b) If they did not include romance.
(c) If they did not include violence.
(d) If they were reduced to one sentence sound bites.

9. What does Proust believe a life examined is?
(a) A life worthless.
(b) A waste of time.
(c) A life well lived.
(d) Essential to everyone.

10. What was Proust allergic to?
(a) Cologne.
(b) Soap and shaving cream.
(c) Soap.
(d) Cologne and soap.

11. What would Proust write to his mother and tell her about?
(a) His last writing.
(b) His most recent friendship.
(c) The quality of his stool.
(d) His latest girlfriend.

12. What does De Botton suggest about human social life?
(a) It is insincere.
(b) It is unnecessary.
(c) It is sincere.
(d) It is necessary.

13. How old was Proust when he died?
(a) 53 years old.
(b) 65 years old.
(c) 41 years old.
(d) 51 years old.

14. According to the beginning of "How Proust Can Change Your Life ; Not a Novel" what did Proust hate?
(a) Art.
(b) People.
(c) Writing.
(d) Museum crowds.

15. What is Proust legendary for?
(a) His elaborate home.
(b) His companionship.
(c) His elaborate and long descriptions.
(d) His long description of architecture.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Proust's friends react to Proust's relationship with his mother?

2. How many years was Proust a librarian for Mazarine library?

3. What did Proust explain after the article was written about the young boy who murdered his mom.

4. Why would Proust sometimes examine a mundane train timetable?

5. What question does De Botton ask after he discusses Proust's father's work?

(see the answer keys)

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