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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Catherine claim she wrote the proof in one of Robert's notebook?
(a) She thought she would publish the proof under his name.
(b) She wanted to confuse Hal, with whom she is angry.
(c) She only writes in certain types of notebooks, which Robert happened to have.
(d) She bought the notebooks for him in bulk, and there were extras.

2. What is Catherine's explanation as to why she wrote the proof?
(a) She does not claim to have written the proof.
(b) She was so excited about math and life that the ideas could not be stopped.
(c) She was depressed because she had to quit school and move home, and decided she could learn the math herself.
(d) She was jealous of Robert and vowed that she could come up with something better.

3. What does Catherine request for dinner?
(a) Salad, margaritas, and cake.
(b) Steak, cheap beer, and potatoes.
(c) Soup, bread, and irish coffee.
(d) Chicken, fine wine, and celery.

4. What does Robert ask Catherine to do?
(a) He asks her to work with him.
(b) He asks her to move back home.
(c) He asks her to leave him alone.
(d) He asks her to stay out of his research.

5. Where will Catherine live while she is in school?
(a) Chicago.
(b) New York.
(c) At home.
(d) Evanston.

6. Where does Catherine reveal she is going to school?
(a) The University of Chicago.
(b) Northwestern.
(c) The University of San Diego.
(d) New York University.

7. Why has Catherine come to the house?
(a) She just happened to be driving by.
(b) She missed home and wanted to visit.
(c) She and Robert had planned to have dinner.
(d) No one picked up the phone when she called, and she got worried.

8. Does Hal go with them to dinner?
(a) Yes, but he is uncomfortable and leaves before dinner arrives.
(b) No, he can't, he has plans.
(c) Yes, they have a lovely time.
(d) No, he needs to take his thesis back and work on it.

9. Why is Hal skeptical about Catherine's claim?
(a) He thinks Robert may have written the groundbreaking proof, then later explained it to Catherine.
(b) He thinks Catherine is just trying to impress him because they spend the night together.
(c) Robert told him all about the proof before his death.
(d) He has already written the proof, and wonders how she stole his idea.

10. What does Robert love about bookstores in September?
(a) He loves watching the students browsing throughout an afternoon.
(b) He loves how empty the bookstores are.
(c) The smell of coffee that wafts outside.
(d) He loves how precisely and quickly students find the books they are looking for.

11. Why does Claire resent mathematicians?
(a) She feels that mathematicians do not think their actions through.
(b) She is jealous of mathematicians' talent, and wishes she could be a mathematician herself.
(c) She is a physicist, and the resent between the two professions runs deep.
(d) She is a writer, and believes the arts are more important than sciences.

12. Why was Catherine's drawer locked?
(a) The drawer is full of important legal documents.
(b) The key to the drawer has long been lost.
(c) The drawer is a place where she keeps private things.
(d) The drawer contains Robert's greatest works.

13. Where does Robert joke that Chicago beer comes from?
(a) Lake Michigan.
(b) Underground.
(c) New York City.
(d) A secret brewery.

14. How much of Robert's ability does Claire think she has inherited?
(a) One-one thousandth.
(b) One-fiftieth.
(c) One-one hundredth.
(d) One-quarter.

15. What does Claire do for a living?
(a) She is a financial advisor.
(b) She is a currency analyst.
(c) She is an actuary.
(d) She is a teacher.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Robert secretly terrified of, in regards to his career?

2. Does Hal believe Catherine could have written the proof?

3. What does Robert insist on, though it is freezing cold outside?

4. What does Robert compare his creativity to?

5. What does Robert say is finally working again?

(see the answer keys)

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