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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. In "Banal Story," how many people follow Manuel Garcia’s body to the cemetery for burial?
(a) 147.
(b) 300.
(c) 0.
(d) 200.

2. How many soldiers are in the story "Today is Friday"?
(a) Five.
(b) Two.
(c) Three.
(d) One.

3. In what town is the story “As I Lay Me” set?
(a) Madrid.
(b) Milan.
(c) Paris.
(d) Venice.

4. Why does the male narrator think that the American woman assumes he is English in "A Canary For One"?
(a) Because of his hair color.
(b) Because he used to wear braces.
(c) Because of his manners.
(d) Because of his accent.

5. In "Now I Lay Me," what is the initial thing that Nick thinks about when he is trying to fall asleep?
(a) Bull fighting.
(b) Indians.
(c) The war.
(d) Trout streams.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the story "Now I Lay Me, what does Nick "do" for his parents, when he remembers them?

2. In what city does the story "A Pursuit Race" end up?

3. At the end of "Now I Lay Me," what does Nick return to thinking about?

4. In "A Canary For One," what does the American woman say the canary loves?

5. What time of year does “An Alpine Idyll” take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think the author does not reveal that the narrator of "A Canary For One" is the American man, until the end of the story?

2. What is the publication that the narrator of “Banal Story” is reading while Manuel lays dying and what types of articles are in the publication?

3. What does Nick begin thinking about after John gives him advice in "Now I Lay Me"?

4. How would you describe the American woman traveling with a canary in "A Canary For One"?

5. What does Nick’s orderly John tell him every man must do in "Now I Lay Me"?

6. In "Now I Lay Me," how does Nick think that John would react if he saw him after he had been released from the hospital?

7. What advice does William offer Mr. Turner in "A Pursuit Race"?

8. In "Banal Story," from what does Manuel Garcia eventually die?

9. Why do you think the author wrote “Today Is Friday” in a play version instead of a narrative, like the other stories?

10. Overall, what is the author’s perspective on women and romantic relationships?

(see the answer keys)

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