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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. Why are the streets of New York deserted the night that Spike returns after being shot?
(a) It's Christmas day.
(b) It's below zero temperatures.
(c) The Super Bowl is on TV.
(d) There's been a terrorist attack on the city.

2. What gift does Spike give to the I & I ?
(a) A surround sound stereo system.
(b) A high definition TV.
(c) New chairs.
(d) A new stove.

3. What is the other element in Boomer's sculpture?
(a) A geneology of Astarte.
(b) An ancient map of Palestine.
(c) Painted Stick and Conch Shell.
(d) Ellen Cherry.

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

5. What makes the I & I the most popular restaurant in the city?
(a) The belly dancer.
(b) Ellen Cherry.
(c) Ellen Cherry's art.
(d) The high definition TV.

Short Answer Questions

1. How do the objects manage to escape the church?

2. Where does Can 'o Beans end up?

3. Who comes to Buddy's apartment the night he is supposed to leave for Jerusalem?

4. What does Ellen Cherry do with the spoon when she takes her out of the drawer?

5. Why does Turn Around Norman stop performing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Robbins says that Conch Shell plays a major role in encouraging Painted Stick to venture out and find the ocean, but all she does is look out the window. In what way do you think she provides encouragement to Painted Stick?

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. 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?

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

6. Describe Ellen Cherry's feelings for Buddy after he tells her why he wants to destroy the Dome of Rock.

7. 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?

8. Why does Patsy's question concerning second marriage bother Buddy?

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

10. Why do you think that Robbins ends the novel with Spoon?

(see the answer keys)

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