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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. Why do the narrator and his wife move carefully in Nicholas' apartment in "In the Basement"?

2. In "When in Rome," how does Caleb say he once chocked his brother?

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

4. Why does Kevin show Caleb a basement at his work in "When in Rome"?

5. Why does Kevin call Caleb at work in "When in Rome"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does John try to help Elsa's acting career in "Middleman"?

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

5. In "When in Rome," why does Caleb tell the story about visiting his brother in California?

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

7. How does John describe Elsa's acting skills in "Middleman"?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The entertainment business acts as a character itself in a few of the stories in this book. Analyze the role of the entertainment business in each of these stories. How does this further the plot, character and theme development? What message is delivered about the entertainment business?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Morality is a major theme in many of these stories. Examine how the characters develop, display and grapple with morality. Compare and contrast the differences in moral values and explore the overall message about morality when you look at the book as a whole.

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