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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Hank's doctor tell him about his urinary problem?
(a) That he needs surgery immediately.
(b) That it is probably a kidney stone.
(c) That it might be all in his head.
(d) That he probably has a bladder infection.

2. What author was Hank's father teaching to his class when he finally figured out how to overcome his lecture affliction?
(a) Jane Austen.
(b) Charles Dickens.
(c) Thomas Hardy.
(d) Charles Darwin.

3. After Hank gets Russell out of Russell's lover's house, where does Hank take him?
(a) To see Hank's daughter.
(b) To Russell's parents' house.
(c) To the airport.
(d) To Billy Quigley's.

4. How does Hank describe a professor's inability to lecture?
(a) As their worst nightmare come true.
(b) As a common occurence.
(c) As the end of their career.
(d) As a joke.

5. How many books does Hank say his father had published by the time he left his family?
(a) Five.
(b) One.
(c) Fifteen.
(d) Ten.

6. How does Hank compare the faculty cocktail party and the university classroom?
(a) That it is much more important to be able to speak at the cocktail party.
(b) Teaching is more important than socializing.
(c) They were both boring for his father.
(d) Both are necessary to visiting professors.

7. After he almost runs her down, what is his mother's reaction to what he has to say about Mr. Purty?
(a) She is astonished that he would say that.
(b) She feels guilty and has a good cry.
(c) She gets angry with Hank and tells him to leave.
(d) She doesn't care and isn't fazed a bit about it.

8. In the Epilogue, Hank is on leave. What is this called for a professor?
(a) An emeritus appointment.
(b) A sabbatical.
(c) A mini-vacation.
(d) A professional development opportunity.

9. In the Epilogue, where do Hank and his wife like to sit and watch the neighborhood?
(a) On their roof.
(b) On their porch.
(c) In their summerhouse.
(d) On their deck.

10. Who does Hank sell one of the lots next to his house to?
(a) His mother.
(b) Tony Coniglia.
(c) His daughter and her boyfriend.
(d) Jacob and Gracie.

11. Why does the head of campus security show up at Hank's composition class with a policeman?
(a) They are looking for the student who killed the birds on campus.
(b) They want to talk to Hank about his stolen car.
(c) The policeman has a warrant for Hank's arrest.
(d) They want to know where Rachel Williams is.

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

13. 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 narrow - they only know a lot about one thing.
(c) Very generous - everyone comes to help him.
(d) Not very practical - they cannot get out of a room.

14. 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 dead deer.
(b) A blue tarp.
(c) A U-Haul trailer.
(d) A trailer.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What can Hank tell from from the lights in his hiding place in the ceiling?

2. Where does Hank call his doctor's office from?

3. What name does Hank's doctor give to the health issue Hank had earlier in the novel?

4. What does Hank hear someone say at the meeting he is suspended above?

5. Hank mentions in his article that his father had written about a television program for his book on pop culture. What television program did he write about?

(see the answer keys)

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