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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. How do Painted Stick and Conch Shell think Boomer and Ellen Cherry can help them?
(a) The can help them find their true master.
(b) They can help them get to Jerusalem.
(c) They can give them the power of motion.
(d) They can help them fall back to sleep.

2. What is Jezebel's common reputation?
(a) Christian martyr.
(b) Good samaritan.
(c) Reformed Christian.
(d) Harlot and an idolator.

3. What does Ellen Cherry paint shortly after beginning work at the I & I?
(a) The I & I.
(b) Jerusalem.
(c) Patsy.
(d) The objects.

4. Why does Ellen Cherry need to work?
(a) Because she is bored.
(b) Because Boomer leaves her.
(c) Because she wants to interact with people.
(d) Because she is robbed.

5. What surprises Raoul about Ellen Cherry's appearance?
(a) She's naked.
(b) She is dressed up.
(c) She has curlers in her hair.
(d) She's wearing ratty jeans.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of a stand does Roland Abu Hadee open?

2. What is Roland Abu Hadee's distinguishing feature?

3. According to the narrator, religion inevitably leads to what?

4. What frustrates Boomer about people's reaction to the Turkey?

5. Boomer sells one of his sculptures on the condition that he has to go where to assemble it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Verlin, Patsy, and Buddy go to see a "miracle", which turns out to be nothing more than a shadow on a freezer. What does an incident like this seem to say about people's relationship to religion and mystery? Does it cast a reflection on Buddy's miracle?

2. Describe Turn Around Norman's Activity. How is it important in the novel?

3. Describe Ellen Cherry's eye game.

4. Explain the symbolism of the I & I.

5. Robbins writes, "Those people who recognize that imagination is reality's master, we call 'sages', and those who act upon it, we call 'artists.'" What do you think he means by this and why is the distinction important?

6. What do we learn about Boomer Petway in the first few sections of the novel?

7. When Ellen Cherry reflects on Boomer's fear that she loves art more than him, she admits that it's true, but adds that she loves art more than herself too. What does this tell us about Ellen Cherry and about her opinion of art?

8. What does Robbins say about religion at the end of the Fourth Veil?

9. Why do you think that Ellen Cherry wants Boomer to call her "Jezebel" when they are intimate?

10. At the end of this section, Buddy avoids getting a speeding ticket by using his saxophone voice and preaching to the police officer. Is this realistic and why do you think Robbins includes it in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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