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

2. At what age did Arthur Less start a romance with the poet Robert Brownburn?
(a) 36.
(b) 19.
(c) 39.
(d) 21.

3. With what objects does Arthur always travel that he thinks of as his portable gym?
(a) Barbells.
(b) Bricks.
(c) Jump ropes.
(d) Rubber bands.

4. What is the name of the science fiction writer's most famous character?
(a) George.
(b) Sherman.
(c) Peabody.
(d) X3000.

5. Arthur's tour of Mexico City starts with a ride on what type of transportation?
(a) Subway.
(b) Bicycle.
(c) Seaplane.
(d) Pedicab.

Short Answer Questions

1. What color is the theme of the party at which Freddy and Arthur meet for the first time?

2. In what month does the novel open?

3. What reason does the festival organizer give for why he never attends the panels he puts together?

4. To what Italian city does Arthur travel to attend a prize ceremony?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

1. What other two prize ceremonies are called to Arthur's mind at the awards ceremony in Italy?

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

3. What is the narrator's hypothesis about why Arthur spends nine years with Freddy?

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

5. What are the reasons for Arthur's exhaustion the first morning he wakes up in Mexico?

6. What is the significance of Arthur's habit of not wearing a watch?

7. What is the actual sound being made when Arthur believes the sound of thunder to be interrupting his reveries during the Italian award ceremony?

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

9. How do Arthur and Robert meet?

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

(see the answer keys)

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