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

2. Why does Quentin think Uncle Otto is hallucinating about McCutchson's truck?
(a) Because Otto has intense guilt about his partner's demise.
(b) Because Otto is going mad.
(c) Because Otto thinks McCutchson is haunting him.
(d) Because Quentin thinks Otto killed McCutchson with the truck.

3. What lie does Henry tell Thorpe?
(a) That Henry had seen a Fornit at the zoo.
(b) That Fornits are actually aliens.
(c) That the FBI was looking into Thorpe's Fornit.
(d) That Henry has a Fornit of his own.

4. What emotion does George feel when it comes to Gramma?
(a) Love.
(b) Fear.
(c) Affection.
(d) Loathing.

5. Who are Rand and Shapiro in "Beachworld"?
(a) The leaders of a beachlike planet.
(b) Soldiers sent to conquer Beachworld.
(c) All of the answers are correct.
(d) The only two survivors of a plane crash.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who follows Rocky and Leo as they leave the garage?

2. What happens to McCutchson?

3. What happens to the dog that gave Henry his paw to shake?

4. What does Rand do as the rescue ship leaves?

5. What are Fornits?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. Foreshadowing is when an event early in the story hints at an event to take place later in the story. Find an example of foreshadowing in "The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands." Cite the foreshadowing event and the event it foreshadows.

4. "For Owen" seems oddly placed in this collection of stories. Why might King have placed a story about his young son in the midst of more savage and frightening ones?

5. Identify a simile from "The Reaper's Image" and explain how the simile adds to the description.

6. What do you think would be the worst part of being afflicted as Brower is in "The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands"? Use examples from the text to support your theory.

7. 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?

8. What type of irony can be found within "Survivor Type"? Be sure to use examples from the text to support your theory.

9. Think about the setting of "The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands." How does the setting of this story add to its scary feeling?

10. There is a rumor in the family that Gramma did something to Franklin to make him die. Do you think the family is just overreacting to their guilt and loss by blaming it on Gramma?

(see the answer keys)

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