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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Carter tell Maria in the desert where he is filming that she should leave if she feels "that way."
(a) Because she asks if Carter doesn't love her anymore.
(b) Because she asks if Carter beat up Susannah.
(c) Because she asks if Carter stole her money.
(d) Because she asks if Carter is sleeping with Susannah.

2. When Maria attends parties with occasional, third-string "faggots," why is she considered a "modest asset"?
(a) Because she listens to them and understands the marginal distinctions which preoccupy them.
(b) Because she is beautiful and understands the marginal distinctions which preoccupy them.
(c) Because she is beautiful and knows lots of famous stars.
(d) Because she listens to them and knpws lots of famous stars.

3. What does Larry Kulik invite Maria to do at his place?
(a) Smoke pot.
(b) Use the sauna.
(c) Attend his party.
(d) Swim in the pool.

4. What kind of stories leap out at Maria from the newspaper so that she can no longer read it?
(a) Stories involving natural disasters.
(b) Stories involving working mothers.
(c) Stories involving dead actresses.
(d) Stories involving children in peril.

5. The first time Maria meets BZ at his house, BZ tells Carter, "The rough cut looked fantastic, except you're missing the ________."
(a) Story.
(b) Action.
(c) Lighting.
(d) Star.

6. According to the person who writes the mimeographed letter that Maria receives in care of the studio, Maria's worries may date from when she was a what?
(a) Model.
(b) Baby.
(c) Actress.
(d) Wife.

7. In the town where Carter is shooting that is between Death Valley and the Nevada line, why does the boy at the bathhouse know that Maria is with the movie?
(a) Because he works for Carter.
(b) Because she's too beautiful to be from there.
(c) Because he recognized her as a film star.
(d) Because he knows everybody from around there.

8. When Maria shows up on Carter's set in the desert, why does he tell her to leave and do something with Helene?
(a) Because she's making him nervous.
(b) Because she's making Susannah nervous.
(c) Because she's too nervous.
(d) Because she's making everyone nervous.

9. What is Maria waiting for at the Ralph's Market snack counter?
(a) To use the pay phone.
(b) Nothing.
(c) To eat lunch.
(d) Les Goodwin.

10. According to Maria, who probably pages her at the casino where she has run out on Benny Austin?
(a) Larry Kulik.
(b) BZ.
(c) Benny Austin.
(d) Carter.

11. In her dreams of Les Goodwin and Kate, Maria imagines the three of them going to the beach to do what?
(a) Make sand castles.
(b) Lie on the beach.
(c) Gather mussels.
(d) Swim.

12. At the end of the novel, who is with BZ at the time of his death?
(a) No one.
(b) Maria.
(c) Carter.
(d) Helene.

13. Why does Maria feel a rush of shame when she tells Benny Austin to come see her in Los Angeles?
(a) Because Maria never goes to Los Angeles.
(b) None of the answers is correct.
(c) Because she would not see him if he came.
(d) Because Benny never goes to Los Angeles.

14. BZ tells Maria that Carter is sleeping with someone in the desert. Who?
(a) Susannah.
(b) Helene.
(c) A waitress.
(d) An extra.

15. When Maria runs into Carter unexpectedly on the street in Beverly Hills after their divorce, where does she tell him she is going for a few days?
(a) New York.
(b) Mexico City.
(c) Las Vegas.
(d) San Francisco.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who at Christmas dinner is "preternaturally attuned to the threat of voices not even raised"?

2. What does Maria tell Benny Austin about why she had to leave him?

3. The first time Maria sees Carter after the divorce hearing, what does he mean when he tells her, "Don't get into that"?

4. What excuse does Felicia give about Kate smashing her gift against the mirror?

5. Whom does Maria call after she is arrested for stealing the actor's property in Vegas?

(see the answer keys)

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