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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Hank describes his father as leaving the family. What is one reason he left the family?
(a) His wife was tired of him.
(b) He felt he could do better work if he was alone.
(c) He wanted more children and his wife did not.
(d) He was having an affair with a graduate student.

2. When Hank finally arrives home with his wife and father-in-law, what sad news does he learn?
(a) That he has been fired.
(b) That his father has died.
(c) That his daughter has filed for divorce.
(d) That his dog Occam has died.

3. What was one reason the university was happy to hire Devereaux Sr.?
(a) He had the best credentials of the candidates.
(b) He did not need a faculty house to live in.
(c) He was willing to work for a small salary.
(d) He had a very respected academic reputation.

4. What young woman, at one time, thinks she is in love with Tony?
(a) Julie Barnes.
(b) Blair Rosen.
(c) Yolanda Ackles.
(d) Meg Quigley.

5. How does Russell explain what happened between him and Hank's daughter?
(a) She had tried to hurt him and fell down as she was doing so.
(b) He pushed her down the stairs but is sorry now.
(c) He accidentally smashed her in the face with a hammer.
(d) She tried to get by him and fell against the coffee table.

6. What situation at the end of the Epilogue makes Hank laugh at how academics can be?
(a) They have no idea how to handle money.
(b) Very generous - everyone comes to help him.
(c) Very narrow - they only know a lot about one thing.
(d) Not very practical - they cannot get out of a room.

7. What part of this student's anatomy did Hank's father coo to as his knees buckled and he had to be helped down from the lectern?
(a) Her knee.
(b) Her chin.
(c) Her nose.
(d) Her ear.

8. Hank stops at a diner before reaching campus after the call about the dead bird. He runs into Mr. Purty. What does Mr. Purty have attached to his truck?
(a) A U-Haul trailer.
(b) A dead deer.
(c) A blue tarp.
(d) A trailer.

9. At the end of Chapter 25, what does Hank find out about Jacob Rose and Gracie DuBois?
(a) That they are on the run from the law.
(b) That they are leaving the college.
(c) They are going to get married.
(d) That they have been plotting against him.

10. What did Hank's father realize as he listened to his lecture being delivered by someone else?
(a) That he indeed had a brilliant mind.
(b) That he wished he could run away.
(c) That his notes the person was reading for him made no sense.
(d) The difference between delivering information and teaching.

11. After Hank climbs down from the ceiling, what does he do?
(a) Burns incriminating letters in his wastebasket.
(b) Calls his wife and starts crying.
(c) Goes out the back way and finds his car.
(d) Hides the papers on his desk.

12. Hank and Tony head off to their homes in separate cars. What does Hank end up thinking about?
(a) The state of his marriage.
(b) That he needs to buy a new car.
(c) His parents.
(d) His near suicide attempt when he was a teenager.

13. Who replaces Hank as chair of the English department?
(a) Jacob Rose.
(b) Teddy Barnes.
(c) Paul Bourke.
(d) Tony Coniglia.

14. How does Hank's wife respond to finding the photo of the woman in Tony's hot tub in his pocket?
(a) She wonders if it was a reporter on local TV.
(b) She laughs.
(c) She begins divorce proceedings.
(d) She cries for hours.

15. Why does Hank have the reaction that he does to the dean's suggestion?
(a) Because he is very ill.
(b) Because he thinks the dean is insane.
(c) Because he hasn't heard a word the dean has said.
(d) Because he wants to study for a Ph. D.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Hank sell one of the lots next to his house to?

2. After visiting with his father, Hank goes to teach his composition class. Who does he notice is not there?

3. Where is the dead bird found on campus?

4. What city does Russell tell Hank that he has been offered a job in?

5. Whose house does Hank go to the morning after his night in jail?

(see the answer keys)

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