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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What will it take for Roy to be relieved from his suffering?
(a) For him to undergo a change in his values.
(b) To get medical help from his doctor.
(c) To help his teammates become better people.
(d) For him to win a big game.

2. How is failure treated in The Natural?
(a) It leads to further failure and heartache.
(b) It is considered a path to success.
(c) It is considered a fact of life one must endure.
(d) It is considered an opportunity to learn.

3. How does Roy feel about Bump Bailey?
(a) He looks up to him as a mentor, since both play the outfield.
(b) He tries to teach Bump some techniques to help the team.
(c) He dislikes him because of his bad jokes and his lack of respect for the team or the coach.
(d) He is jealous of Bump's relationship with the coach.

4. By what name does Roy call his personal bat?
(a) Wonderboy.
(b) Slam Hitter.
(c) Sam.
(d) He did give it a name.

5. What does Memo's reaction to Bump's death tell the reader, given her lack of relationship with him?
(a) It shows she didn't care much for Bump.
(b) It shows she cannot form stable relationships.
(c) It shows she really loved Roy all along.
(d) It shows she loved Bump, but quickly forgot him.

6. What headlines in the newspaper catches Sam's attention?
(a) The murder of two athletes.
(b) The sports news headlines for the Chicago Cubs.
(c) The report of "The Whammer's" successful career.
(d) The change of coaches for the Chicago Cubs.

7. What happens to Roy that Max Mercy finds out when he comes back to the motel?
(a) That Memo has dumped him.
(b) That he had a fight with Pop.
(c) That he has a black eye.
(d) That he plans to quit baseball.

8. Who is Memo Paris?
(a) Roy's girlfriend.
(b) Pop's niece and Bump's girlfriend.
(c) A loyal fan that follows the team.
(d) A reporter that writes good things about the team.

9. How old is Roy when he starts his journey on the train?
(a) Nineteen.
(b) Thirty-four.
(c) Twenty-two.
(d) Thirty-three.

10. Who is Sam Simpson?
(a) Roy's professional scout.
(b) Roy's father.
(c) A baseball pitcher.
(d) A newspaper reporter.

11. What event causes Memo to view Roy more favorably and go for a ride with him?
(a) He gets his raise, finally.
(b) He tells her about his plans to become the best ball player ever.
(c) He tells her about Bump's gambling and losses, making her glad Bump didn't marry her.
(d) He gets a white Mercedes-Benz from his fans.

12. Why does "The Whammer" reject Roy?
(a) He doesn't like baseball.
(b) He thinks Roy is inexperienced.
(c) He has heard that Roy threw a baseball game.
(d) He is jealous of Harriet and Roy.

13. What happens to Pop due to Doc's influence?
(a) He gets fired.
(b) He wins a big game that helps his morale.
(c) He gets hit by another player.
(d) He gets teased constantly.

14. What does Sam dream that foretells what will happen to him?
(a) He dreams he was stabbed.
(b) He dreams Roy was shot.
(c) He dreams he wins the Most Valuable Player Award.
(d) He dreams he is a famous sportswriter.

15. What American tendency does Malamud say The Judge and Gus take advantage of?
(a) The tendency to fall for schemes promising quick money.
(b) The tendency to seek a mate at all costs.
(c) The tendency to follow one particular ball player.
(d) The tendency to gamble on games.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Pop react to the almost magical quality of Roy's Wonderboy during the first game in which Roy gets to hit?

2. Who are the two friends that Roy makes with the Knights?

3. What warning does Red give Roy that he ignores?

4. What do the fans do when they find out Roy didn't get a raise?

5. What happens when Roy meets Gus?

(see the answer keys)

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