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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. In "Middleman," what does Joshua's father admit to almost becoming?

2. In "When in Rome," what does Caleb do for a living?

3. In "In the Basement," why does Nicholas say Lisa's husband's family teases him?

4. In "Middleman," how long does Joshua help Elsa before she tells him to stop?

5. In "Middleman," why can't Joshua get Elsa's attention?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. In "Middleman," how does John meet Elsa?

4. In "When in Rome," how do Caleb and Kevin react to being mugged?

5. What is the last thing Caleb does in "When in Rome"?

6. What does the narrator's wife, Carla, say to him at the end of "In the Basement"?

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

8. How does John feel about Judaism in "Middleman"?

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

10. In "In the Basement," what history does the narrator give about Nicholas and Maria's relationship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the characters in this collection of stories are opposites of one another. Analyze the use of opposite characters within a story or stories. How do they develop the plot? How do they develop the themes?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the use of prose and descriptive passages in two of the stories in this collection. Consider the times the author uses lengthy and detailed passages vs. short, clipped ones. How does each style affect the story to which they belong? What might account for the variety in writing styles?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast two similar characters who act differently. How do their different actions change what seems to make them similar? How does this provide a message about free will in the collection?

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