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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. On one hand, Julius says that his memory of Nigeria is mostly a blank forgetting—how does he describe the things that do stick with him from that time?
(a) Immanent.
(b) Iridescent.
(c) Irruptive.
(d) Elusive.

2. How does Julius characterize Moji and Lise-Anne, respectively?
(a) Beautiful; thoughtful.
(b) Curious; closed-minded.
(c) Warm; off-putting.
(d) Brittle; likable.

3. What is the white man teaching the Asian woman in the diner where Julius sees them in Chapter 18?
(a) English.
(b) Chinese.
(c) Calculus.
(d) Latin.

4. How does Julius characterize the effect Mahler’s symphony has on him?
(a) It filled his heart with light.
(b) It floods his heart with feelings.
(c) It stills his thoughts.
(d) It fills him with visions.

5. Flying back to New York, Julius remembers having seen the city from a similar vantage point: when looking a vast scale model of the city. Where was that scale model exhibited?
(a) 1964 World’s Fair.
(b) 1939 World’s Fair.
(c) The Louvre.
(d) The Smithsonian.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Julius say the snow-covered city makes him feel in Chapter 14?

2. Where is John Musson’s apartment, that Julius goes to the party Moji invites him to?

3. What part of academia does Julius say he has never had a stomach for?

4. Why does Julius go to Notre Dame de la Chapelle?

5. How does Julius characterize his personality during the picnic in Central Park?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Julius react to Dr. Saito’s death?

2. What is it that Julius says cut him to the quick when he was talking with Dr. Maillotte over dinner?

3. What happens to Julius when he forgets to bring his checkbook to the accountant, and why is it disturbing?

4. What are Julius’ dreams like, after he hears about Dr. Saito’s bedbugs?

5. What experience does Julius have in Chinatown, that gives him the “disorientation and bliss” of living in his childhood self again?

6. Chapter 11 marks the end of “Part 1: Death is a perfection of the eye.” In what way is this title appropriate to the first 11 chapters?

7. What does Julius know about Dr. Saito’s relationship history, and how does he know it?

8. What odd scene does Julius witness in the diner, where someone is learning Chinese?

9. What is the leap in time and setting that has taken place between chapters 20 and 21?

10. How does the model of New York from the 1964 World’s Fair serve as a metaphor for the book?

(see the answer keys)

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