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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 human emotion does Can 'o Beans say both Carols and Rap are rooted in?
(a) Hope.
(b) Helplessness.
(c) Faith.
(d) Rejoicing.

2. What inspires or convinces the belly dancer to do the Dance of the Seven Veils?
(a) Money.
(b) Boomer's sculpture.
(c) Threats.
(d) Ellen Cherry's mural.

3. From what vantage point does Spoon spy on Ellen Cherry and her family?
(a) The mantle.
(b) The radiator.
(c) The coffee table.
(d) The floor.

4. What do Verlin and Patsy want to see while they're in New York?
(a) Turn Around Norman.
(b) The Statue of Liberty.
(c) The Cathedral.
(d) The Turkey.

5. Who warns Ellen Cherry about the probable result of destroying the Dome of the Rock?
(a) Boomer.
(b) Ultima.
(c) Abu Hadee.
(d) Buddy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the catch in the belly dancer's assent to perform the Dance of the Seven Veils?

2. What does Ellen Cherry agree to do that pleases Spike while he's visiting her apartment?

3. Who dies at the end of the Sixth Veil?

4. What surprises Spoon about Painted Stick's reception of her after she rejoins the other objects?

5. What shift is Ellen Cherry mostly working around Christmas time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Ellen Cherry is clearly upset by the disappearance of Spoon. Explain how you think she feels.

2. Throughout the novel so far, Ellen Cherry seems to be cosmically bound to the group of objects. As they try to escape, Buddy catches two of them. Which objects does he catch and is Buddy also cosmically connected to the objects? Why?

3. When Ultima and Ellen Cherry talk about art, Ultima says that some artists admit defeat and stop trying to be original. Ellen Cherry disagrees with this and says artists always strive for originality. Why do you think this conversation inspires her to begin painting again?

4. Why do you think Salome chooses to perform the Dance of the Seven Veils during the Super Bowl?

5. Explain the Vice President's concern regarding Buddy's plan to blow up the Dome of the Rock.

6. Is there symbolic significance in the event when Ellen Cherry, having determined to paint again, goes looking for Turn Around Norman and finds Buddy instead?

7. Describe the statue Boomer is making in Jerusalem and comment on its significance.

8. How can we interpret the fact that the ancient Salome performs the Dance of the Seven Veils in exchange for John the Baptiste's head and the modern Salome performs it because of Ellen Cherry's painting?

9. Without art and without Boomer, Ellen Cherry is beginning to feel that life is meaningless. What do you think Robbins is saying about the relationship between the meaning we give our lives and our endeavors and/or relationships?

10. Is there a reason why Dirty Sock is the only object left behind when the objects escape and never makes it to Jerusalem?

(see the answer keys)

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