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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 "In the Basement," how does Maria know Lisa?

2. In "In the Basement," what does Nicholas say Lisa did with her narrative writing?

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

4. In "When in Rome," why does Caleb start talking to Kevin again?

5. In "Middleman," how does Joshua's father describe their last name?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. In what was are Caleb and Kevin different 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

Most of the stories in this collection are centered on male characters and male concerns. How does this focus affect the definitions of gender within the text? What role/roles is/are assigned to women? What commentary on gender appears throughout this collection?

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