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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. Where do Desdemona and Lefty move to when they arrive in the United States?
(a) New Smyrna.
(b) Grosse Pointe.
(c) New York City.
(d) Detroit.

2. What mistake does Dr. Philobosian make when the narrator is born?
(a) He fails to fully examine his/her genitals thus does not notice s/he was a hermaphrodite.
(b) He incorrectly diagnoses the baby with a birth defect.
(c) He becomes distracted by Nurse Rosalee.
(d) He fails to administer an epidural to Tessie.

3. What does Desdemona vow to never do again after Calliope's birth?
(a) Predict a child's sex.
(b) Speak to Tessie.
(c) Attend church.
(d) Leave her ill husband alone.

4. Why does Desdemona visit Dr. Philobosian in this chapter?
(a) To determine whether or not she is pregnant
(b) To ask him to sterilize her so she will not be able to have more children.
(c) Because she has contracted an illness from the silk workers
(d) To have a physical examination

5. What does Desdemona vow to never do again after Milton's birth?
(a) Care for Sourmelina's baby, Theodora.
(b) Predict the sex of an unborn child using her silver spoon.
(c) Tell anyone that she and Lefty are brother and sister.
(d) Have another child.

Short Answer Questions

1. What causes conflict between Jimmy and Lefty?

2. What does Desdemona keep in the silkworm box to predict the sex of a baby?

3. Who is Mrs. Watson?

4. What does Desdemona attempt to smuggle into the U.S. in her silkworm box?

5. Why does the silk Lefty sells in the market not earn much money?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Milton do to convince the realtor to sell him Middlesex?

2. Describe Fard Muhammad's beliefs about the evolution of race.

3. Describe Desdemona's silkworm box and its contents.

4. Describe Desdemona's transformation after Calliope's birth.

5. Describe Marcus Wyxzewixard Challouehliczilczese Grimes.

6. Describe the village of Bithynios.

7. What does Desdemona do when she hears that Milton's Navy unit will be going to war?

8. Why does Desdemona become concerned about her unborn child after talking with Dr. Philobosian?

9. How does the narrator characterize Lefty's gradual demise?

10. Why does the vigilante who throws a Molotov Cocktail into the Zebra Room yell "Opa!" as he sets the diner on fire?

(see the answer keys)

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