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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through “An Elder at the 98 Bus Stop,” “A Provocation in the Park,” “Post-script: Contempt as a Virus” .

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is written on the sign Smith first describes in “A Provocation in the Park”?
(a) Backpackers welcome.
(b) Free Hugs.
(c) Talk to Me.
(d) Ask me why I’m here.

2. What phrase does Smith use to describes Cy’s style in “A Hovering Young Man”?
(a) Childish foolishness.
(b) Youthful exuberance.
(c) Young eccentricity.
(d) Youthful ignorance.

3. How do Smith and her mother communicate during the pandemic lockdown?
(a) Letter writing.
(b) Phone calls.
(c) Text.
(d) Video conference.

4. In “A Man with Strong Hands” Smith admits that for Ben a public school day off can cause chaos, but for her it is what?
(a) A day she and her kids get to sleep late.
(b) A loss of income.
(c) Quality time spent with her kids.
(d) An inconvenience.

5. At the end of “A Character in a Wheelchair in the Vestibule,” Myron says that everyone is afraid of a cold when all they need to do is what?
(a) Take vitamins.
(b) Quarantine.
(c) Social distance.
(d) Wash their hands.

Short Answer Questions

1. What image of “bored children” at home does Smith use in “The American Exception”?

2. Smith thinks that one reason Americans cannot fathom plagues is because they do not discriminate based on what?

3. In “The American Exception,” Smith says that nobody in 1945 wanted to go back to 1939 unless it was to do what?

4. What is the setting at the start of “Peonies”?

5. Despite Barbara insisting her dog is well-behaved, Smith says the dog does what to everyone who walks by?

(see the answer key)

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