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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What accusation does the ghost of the first man Francis killed accuse Francis of?
(a) Cowardice.
(b) Insanity.
(c) Murdering his baby.
(d) Selfishness.

2. What does the narrator say is the real basis of the kinship the young Phelan brothers feel with Francis?
(a) Ireland.
(b) Poverty.
(c) Family.
(d) Alcoholism.

3. Who was the first man Francis Phelan killed?
(a) Martin Daugherty.
(b) Donovan.
(c) Iron Joe Farrell.
(d) Harold Allen.

4. How does Francis characterize Clara?
(a) Crazy.
(b) Brilliant.
(c) Sick.
(d) A good bum.

5. What does Francis say is ‘standard survival currency everywhere’?
(a) Buddies.
(b) Money.
(c) Violence.
(d) Fornication.

6. What day of the year does Ironweed start on?
(a) All Saints’ Day.
(b) Day of the Dead.
(c) Halloween.
(d) All Souls’ Day.

7. Why does Francis work in the cemetery?
(a) To redeem his suitcase at a hotel.
(b) To get money for a place to stay.
(c) To get Helen out of jail.
(d) To make money to pay a lawyer.

8. The narrator says that Francis was “staunchly resolute” in the face of what?
(a) The need to quit drinking.
(b) Capricious and adverse fate.
(c) Suffering.
(d) A knife attack.

9. What does Gerald hope Francis will do after making this visit?
(a) Stop trying to die.
(b) Die in peace.
(c) Kill himself.
(d) Make new babies.

10. How does the narrator characterize Francis’ mother’s reaction to his arrival in the cemetery?
(a) Nervous.
(b) Delighted.
(c) Furious.
(d) Relieved.

11. Where did Francis tell the intern in Indiana his fingertip was?
(a) In the weeds.
(b) On a train.
(c) In a river.
(d) Buried.

12. What does Francis get for Sandra?
(a) A coat.
(b) Wine.
(c) Soup.
(d) A place to sleep.

13. What are Francis’ feelings about the house he was born in?
(a) He doesn’t care if it falls down.
(b) He wishes he could go back there.
(c) He wants to know what it’s like inside now.
(d) He wants to burn it down.

14. Which street does Francis say he used to own?
(a) Broadway.
(b) Washington Avenue.
(c) State Street.
(d) Pearl Street.

15. What role had Dick Doolan played in Francis’ life?
(a) He tried to cut off Francis’ feet.
(b) He was killed when Francis hit him with a stone.
(c) He played baseball with Francis.
(d) He was the one who took Francis in when Francis was running from the law.

Short Answer Questions

1. What year is it in the present moment of the novel?

2. What is the essence of Francis’ response when Rudy asks where they are going?

3. How did Francis kill Dick Doolan?

4. Which of the seven deadly sins prompts Francis to get defensive?

5. What had Dick Doolan’s job been, when he worked in the Tenderloin?

(see the answer keys)

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