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

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

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

4. What is American culture built on according to Marcus?
(a) Deception.
(b) Careers.
(c) Myths.
(d) History.

5. How did Harmonica Frank get his name?
(a) His mouth looked like a harmonica.
(b) He played the harmonica out of one side of his mouth.
(c) When he sang, he sounded like a harmonica.
(d) He was a blues singer.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Harmonica Frank -1951," what does Marcus tell was his first Elvis record?

2. What was Johnson's instrument of choice?

3. What is the name of The Band's third album?

4. The song "We Can Talk About It Now" creates what kind of image?

5. Which of the following performers will NOT be discussed in Mystery Train?

Short Essay Questions

1. There are several dualisms that Marcus identifies the Band reflecting on in "The Righteous Land " section of "The Band." What are two of these dualisms and what aspect of America do they reflect?

2. Compare and contrast Ahab and Huck using Marcus' descriptions from "Harmonica Frank - 1951." How are they different? How are they similar?

3. According to Marcus in "Robert Johnson -1938," how are Robert Johnson's songs relevant even today? What artist's keep his spirit and music alive?

4. Compare and contrast Harmonica Frank and Robert Johnson in terms of style. Use details from both "Harmonica Frank - 1951" and "Robert Johnson -1938." How are the two styles similar? What about the lyrics are different?

5. Marcus analyzes Robert Johnson's "Stones in My Passway" in "Robert Johnson -1938." What is the song about and what are the tools that Johnson uses to create the mood?

6. According to the prologue, what is Greil Marcus' purpose in writing Mystery Train?

7. In "The Band," what is significant about a group according to Marcus in "Crossing the Border"?

8. According to Marcus in "Harmonica Frank -1951," why would Lyndon Johnson and Harmonica Frank get along?

9. In the prologue, what four artists does Marcus say he will write about and why these performers?

10. In "Harmonica Frank - 1951," what exactly is the American spirit that Marcus believes Harmonica Frank brought to rock n' roll?

(see the answer keys)

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