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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. What is hanging on the blood covered meat hook in the milkman's truck?
(a) An air freshener.
(b) A chunk of unidentifiable flesh.
(c) A cb radio.
(d) A human hand.

2. What is the reason for the party in "The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet"?
(a) It is a social mixer for those new to the area.
(b) A birthday.
(c) An anniversary.
(d) The publication of a young writer's first story.

3. What is the main character in "Nona" trying to figure out?
(a) Why his life has been so charmed.
(b) What he did to get so lucky.
(c) His reasons for committing murder.
(d) His path to riches.

4. Who is George McCutchson?
(a) The town pastor.
(b) Quentin's father.
(c) The man selling the land to Otto.
(d) Uncle Otto's partner.

5. Who is Reg Thorpe?
(a) A screenwriter attending the party.
(b) A character in Henry's tale.
(c) A convicted murderer.
(d) All answers are correct.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Richard Pine's former name?

2. Where is the bottle of orange juice located in "Morning Deliveries"?

3. Where is Richard Pine when he writes in his diary?

4. What does the milkman discover at the house with the cancellation note?

5. How did Henry kill himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Quentin seems terrified of Uncle Otto's truck himself, especially after seeing first hand what happened to Uncle Otto. What does Quentin fear the most?

2. Uncle Otto's business partner, George, was killed in an accident involving Otto's truck. Most people believe that Otto killed George over a business disagreement. Given the circumstances of the ending, do you think it was Uncle Otto or Uncle Otto's truck that killed George and why?

3. Rocky is dismayed and angered that the milkman, Spike, impregnated his wife. Spike seems not the least bit intimidated, possibly even enjoying Rocky's discomfort. Do you think Spike did what he did in order to specifically anger Rocky, or do you think Spike doesn't care what anyone thinks?

4. What do you think the story "For Owen" is about?

5. Henry finally shares his story with a few close friends years later about Reg and the Fornits. Why do you think it took him so long to share this information?

6. Compare Henry and Reg and how their relationship affected them both.

7. Rumor had it that Gramma was a witch and apparently became one because she could not carry a baby to term. Do you think Gramma was justified to dabble in witchcraft to attain her dream?

8. What is the significance of the opening in "The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands"?

9. Often, a killer's choice of weapon will say a lot about that person. What do you think Spike's method of operation and choice of weapon say about him?

10. Children are often frightened by elderly relatives. Everything about them seems foreign and frightening. Do you think George's fear of Gramma was instinctual or merely the usual fear a child has of older people?

(see the answer keys)

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