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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the narrator characterize the effect of Francis handling things from his previous life?
(a) Disturbing.
(b) Redemptive.
(c) Delightful.
(d) Uncanny.

2. What reason does Helen give, for abdicating from life?
(a) For illness.
(b) For lack of curiosity.
(c) For exhaustion.
(d) For love.

3. Why had Helen turned down a sandwich at Jack and Clara’s?
(a) She cannot eat because of her tumor.
(b) She was too proud to take food from them.
(c) She knew that Jack and Clara could barely afford food themselves.
(d) She was ashamed of herself.

4. How does Francis characterize his mother?
(a) She only came to life when she was married.
(b) She died when she had sex.
(c) She was always being killed.
(d) She had been dead all her life.

5. In Chapter 6, how does the narrator characterize Francis’ emotions when he arrives at Annie’s house?
(a) Proud.
(b) Delighted.
(c) Self-satisfied.
(d) Bashful.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Francis’ mother announce at Thanksgiving dinner after Francis was married?

2. Whose kidnapping did Francis’ son Billy get mixed up in?

3. What pitch does Francis teach Daniel to throw?

4. In Chapter 5, why is Helen angry at Francis?

5. Why does Francis say he never committed suicide?

Short Essay Questions

1. What peace does Francis establish with the ghosts who have been following him?

2. What memories does Rosskam’s sex talk evoke for Francis?

3. Explain the meaning of the attention Rosskam draws to Francis’ hands.

4. Describe Helen’s relationship with Arthur.

5. Who was Katrina Daugherty and what was her role in Francis’ life?

6. Why is Helen angry with Francis, when she thinks about him in the hotel?

7. How do Francis’ kids react to seeing him?

8. How does Helen feel about her life, when she is summing it up as she dies?

9. How does Francis describe having met Helen when he was younger?

10. Describe the vision Francis sees at Colonie Street.

(see the answer keys)

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