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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 "When in Rome," why does Caleb believe Kevin pulled the car over after they avoided a traffic ticket?

2. In "When in Rome," how does Caleb say Troy reacted when Kevin was choked?

3. In "When in Rome," who does Caleb say was arrested after he choked Kevin?

4. How does Maria say she reacted to seeing Lisa's dog in the basement in "In the Basement"?

5. In "Middleman," how old is Joshua?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Nicholas and Maria tell the narrator and his wife about Lisa in "In the Basement"?

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

3. What does Caleb discover when he returns to Kevin's apartment in "When in Rome"?

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

5. In "In the Basement," at what things does Nicholas feel Lisa failed in her life?

6. In "When in Rome," why does Caleb admit to trying to choke Kevin?

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

8. How does John feel when Elsa asks him to no longer accompany her on auditions in "Middleman"?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze family as a reoccurring topic and theme in this collection. What role does family play in the individual stories? What is the commentary presented about this topic?

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 the differing roles the author constructs for adults and teenagers/children in these stories. Consider how they interact with each other as well as themselves. What message is conveyed about age groups?

(see the answer keys)

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