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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In what sport had Arthur's one moment of athletic prowess occurred when he was 12 years old?
(a) Lacrosse.
(b) Basketball.
(c) Soccer.
(d) Baseball.

2. Which country is the last one on Arthur Less's itinerary?
(a) Japan.
(b) Italy.
(c) China.
(d) France.

3. What is the name of the local writer who acts as Arthur's escort during his time in Mexico?
(a) Armando.
(b) Roberto.
(c) Arturo.
(d) Juan.

4. What is the name of Arthur's hotel in Mexico?
(a) The Eternal Flame.
(b) El Zapateria.
(c) The Monkey House.
(d) The Cherry Tree.

5. Who painted the nude portrait of Arthur when he was a young man?
(a) Franklin Woodhouse.
(b) Otto Handler.
(c) Chelsea Hovorka.
(d) Leonard Ross.

6. What causes Marian to be unable to attend the festival in Mexico City where she had been scheduled to appear with Arthur?
(a) Her plane is delayed.
(b) She breaks her hip.
(c) She gets the flu.
(d) Robert has a stroke.

7. On what holiday in 1987 did Arthur Less meet his one-time rival Carlos?
(a) Memorial Day.
(b) Halloween.
(c) Labor Day.
(d) New Year's Day.

8. In what month does the novel open?
(a) June.
(b) January.
(c) August.
(d) October.

9. Though the narrator says that all Arthur Less has "managed to grow is a gentle sense of himself, akin to the transparent carapace of a soft-shelled crab" (6), what event is stated to still have the ability to hurt him?
(a) Heartbreak.
(b) A rejection by a publisher.
(c) A careless slight.
(d) A mediocre review.

10. What crucial question did Arthur realize he had never asked Robert during their trip to Mexico?
(a) Do you love me?
(b) Why me?
(c) Where is your wife?
(d) What are your intentions?

11. For how long has Arthur Less been in New York at the novel's opening?
(a) Three days.
(b) On month.
(c) Fewer than twenty-four hours.
(d) One week.

12. In what country is the first stop on Arthur Less's itinerary?
(a) Spain.
(b) Canada.
(c) Argentina.
(d) Mexico.

13. Biologically, how is Freddy related to Carlos?
(a) Freddy is Carlos's nephew.
(b) Freddy is Carlos's son.
(c) Freddy is Carlos's great-nephew.
(d) Freddy is Carlos's brother.

14. While Arthur had assumed that Mexico City would be like Phoenix on a smoggy day, what city does he say it is actually like once he sees it?
(a) Barcelona.
(b) Madrid.
(c) Bangkok.
(d) Glasgow.

15. When Freddy and Arthur are sitting in the bar and are describing one another using one sentence, Freddy describes Arthur using what adjective?
(a) Angry.
(b) Brave.
(c) Scared.
(d) Passive-aggressive.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who drove the car during Arthur's and Robert's road trip to Mexico?

2. What is the name of the science fiction writer's most famous character?

3. For what occasion has Arthur Less been asked to interview the science fiction writer?

4. What does the festival organizer name as the reason he throws the festival in Mexico?

5. Who wins the prize at the award ceremony for which Arthur travels to Italy?

(see the answer keys)

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