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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whom does Marcus claim puts the pieces together to find meaning in the music?
(a) The audience.
(b) Artists.
(c) The critic.
(d) Rock 'n' rollers.

2. According to Marcus, what was country music doing in the early 50s?
(a) Making people think.
(b) Making people feel better.
(c) Boring them.
(d) Changing their lives.

3. What album does Marcus say belongs to Richard Manuel in "The Band?
(a) Share Your Love.
(b) Moondog Matinee.
(c) Dixie.
(d) The Weight.

4. What is the "old American idea" that the worried man is stuck in according to Marcus?
(a) Tradition before change.
(b) An innocent world.
(c) A joint-stock world.
(d) The past as the present.

5. From what song does Marcus quote to introduce the chapter "Robert Johnson -1938"?
(a) "All Shook Up."
(b) "Love in Vain."
(c) "Me and the Devil Blues."
(d) "Rip It Up."

6. Who interrupts the fight over the book in the Prologue?
(a) Rita Moreno.
(b) John Simon.
(c) Erich Segal.
(d) Little Richard.

7. What "spirit" does Harmonica Frank have that Marcus believes is truly American?
(a) Crazy and chaotic.
(b) Unrepentant and free.
(c) Tender and free.
(d) Cruel and truthful.

8. From what feeling does Robert Johnson pull his images?
(a) Desolation.
(b) Fear.
(c) Hope.
(d) Anger.

9. According to Marcus, what is the affirmation that sums up The Band?
(a) Nothing is really divided.
(b) Life has been so good to us all.
(c) Don't worry, Be happy.
(d) Bad things happen, and you can't do anything about it.

10. What type of music did Harmonica Frank sing?
(a) Rap.
(b) Blues.
(c) Country.
(d) Rock 'n roll.

11. According to the Prologue, why are Harmonica Frank and Robert Johnson included in Mystery Train?
(a) They were against rock 'n' roll.
(b) They are rock 'n' roll legends.
(c) They preceded rock 'n' roll.
(d) They taught the rock 'n' roll legends.

12. Who wrote the book discussed in the Prologue?
(a) Nicholas Sparks.
(b) John Steinbeck.
(c) Irwin Shaw.
(d) Erich Segal.

13. According to Marcus in "Robert Johnson -1938," what is the American struggle?
(a) To be the best and not hurt others.
(b) To free oneself from constraints and learn the value of those limits.
(c) To be an artist and not lose oneself.
(d) To get rich quick.

14. In "The Band," Marcus tells that Robbie Robertson believed the "music" came from where?
(a) The land.
(b) God.
(c) Nowhere.
(d) Within.

15. What does Marcus say each performer he will discuss in the book attempts to do?
(a) Redefine love.
(b) Make music for money.
(c) Create oneself.
(d) Entertain.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wrote: "You run without moving from a terror in which you cannot believe"?

2. Who said "If you have a mother-in-law with only one eye, and that eye is in the middle of her forehead, you don't keep her in the living room"?

3. Who wrote "Whispering Pines"?

4. What is ironic about rock 'n' roll and democracy?

5. With whom is Carmen walking in the song "To Kingdom Come"?

(see the answer keys)

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