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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. In what desert does Arthur Less plan to turn 50 years old?
(a) The Sahara.
(b) The Mojave.
(c) The Gobi.
(d) The Sierra.

3. What was the title of Arthur Less's first novel?
(a) The Counterglow.
(b) Cormorant Breach.
(c) Kalipso.
(d) Dark Matter.

4. What color is the theme of the party at which Freddy and Arthur meet for the first time?
(a) Gold.
(b) Red.
(c) White.
(d) Blue.

5. The narrator describes the ride home from the tour of Mexico City as "half as charming" (61) as the ride there, due to being what?
(a) Filled with twice as many people.
(b) Ten times hotter.
(c) Twice as smelly.
(d) Ten times slower.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. What topic is NOT on the list of questions Arthur Less is forbidden to ask the science fiction writer during the interview?

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

4. At what age did Arthur Less start a romance with the poet Robert Brownburn?

5. Where did Robert's ring lost at the produce store end up being found?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about Arthur's acceptance of the offer to teach a course in Germany?

2. How does Arthur feel after his relationship with Robert ends?

3. What epiphany does Arthur have about heterosexual men during his search for his lost ring in the produce section?

4. What does Arthur hope will happen as a result of leaving America?

5. Why does the behavior of the Mexico City festival's organizer perplex Arthur?

6. What is the nature of the current relationship between Arthur and Robert?

7. What does Arthur eventually decide about avoiding heartbreak?

8. What is the significance of Arthur's temporary loss of the ring given to him by Robert on their fifth anniversary?

9. For what purpose does Arthur accept all of the literary invitations he has received?

10. What does the grandfather clock in the opening scene symbolize?

(see the answer keys)

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