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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. While in law school, where does Caleb say he visited Kevin in "When in Rome"?

2. In "When in Rome," who told Caleb to always be there for Kevin?

3. In "In the Basement," where does Lisa live?

4. What family radio program does Joshua record in "Middleman"?

5. In "When in Rome," why does Kevin say he takes his nightly work deposits to the bank in the morning?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator of "In the Basement" feel about Nicholas' relationship with Maria?

2. In what was are Caleb and Kevin different in "When in Rome"?

3. How does Caleb try to mend his relationship with Kevin in "When in Rome"?

4. In "Middleman," what makes Elsa talk to John?

5. In "In the Basement," how does Nicholas describe Lisa's lifestyle?

6. How does John feel at the end of "Middleman"?

7. At the end of "In the Basement," how does the narrator feel?

8. In "Middleman," what does John's father say about his time in the Navy?

9. In "In the Basement," what is kept in a basement?

10. After leaving Kevin's apartment in "When in Rome," why does Caleb return?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze how success is defined in this collection of stories. Compare and contrast the definitions of success in a few of the stories. How are these definitions made? Who ends up being successful and why? What overall theme of success is developed when you consider the collection as a whole?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze at least three titles of the stories in this collection. Consider their symbolism within the text, reference to themes and relationship to the overall collection. Compare and contrast the uses of titles. What does the author's titling strategy influence most in the entire collection?

Essay Topic 3

None of the romantic relationships in this collection are successful. Choose at least three romantic relationships to assess. What makes them failures? What message does the author convey with these relationships? What themes are constructed through these failed relationships?

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