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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. Arthur's tour of Mexico City starts with a ride on what type of transportation?

2. In what country had Arthur Less bought his signature blue suit?

3. What crucial question did Arthur realize he had never asked Robert during their trip to Mexico?

4. What causes Marian to be unable to attend the festival in Mexico City where she had been scheduled to appear with Arthur?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Arthur automatically lie when he is asked whether he has ever been to Mexico?

5. What is Arthur's reaction to Carlos's suggestion that he needs to "get an edge" (6) in order to decrease his level of vulnerability?

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

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

8. What are Arthur's feelings about the works of the science fiction writer H. H. H. Mandern?

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

10. What does Arthur eventually decide about avoiding heartbreak?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the themes of truth and lies are interwoven within the novel’s narrative.

Essay Topic 2

What is the author's message regarding commitment within relationships?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Lewis's feelings about his separation from his husband Clark after 20 years of marriage. Discuss the author's tone in describing Lewis's apparent peace with their parting. What message is the author sending about relationships and how one can measure the success of a particular relationship?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample