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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 does Hank's mother remind him of when he visits?
(a) That his wife wants him to call her every day.
(b) That his father is coming to live in Railton.
(c) That he needs to renew his driver's license.
(d) That it is her birthday the next day.

2. After meeting Meg in the cafeteria, Hank has lunch in a bowling alley with Jacob Rose. Who is Jacob?
(a) A wealthy donor to the college.
(b) The college bursar.
(c) The college dean.
(d) The college registrar.

3. After talking to the goose, and then to Leo, Hank heads for the cafeteria. He meets Meg there. Who is Meg the daughter of?
(a) Campbell Wheemer.
(b) Billy Quigley.
(c) His father's second wife.
(d) Phineas Coomb.

4. What is near the center that is home to a large number of birds?
(a) A zoological preserve.
(b) A forest.
(c) An aerie.
(d) A pond.

5. When Hank is in his mother's basement, what kind of physical reaction does he have?
(a) His nose begins to throb.
(b) He feels dizzy.
(c) He has a loud ringing in his ears.
(d) He sneezes several times.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Hank's father become famous for?

2. Just before meeting with Dickie Pope, Hank ends up in colleague Campbell Wheemer's office. What is Hank's nickname for Wheemer?

3. What does Dickie Pope advise Hank to do?

4. When Hank goes to deal with his daughter's issue, and sees her, what does he notice about her?

5. After Hank meets with Dickie Pope, what colleague tells him that he will vote for having Hank recalled as chair of the department if Hank doesn't do as he wishes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kinds of thoughts does Wheemer generate in Hank?

2. When Hank gets home from his visit to Julie, he has a conversation with Billy Quigley. What are Billy's characteristics and what is the conversation about?

3. Hank goes to see Dickie Pope. Who is Pope and what nickname does the staff give to his office? What does Hank do in his office? What does Pope hint to Hank?

4. After visiting with Mr. Purty and then his mother, Hank plays racquetball with another professor, Tony Coniglia. What happens after their game?

5. After having lunch at the bowling alley, Hank goes to see his mother, but first visits with Mr. Purty. Who is Mr. Purty and what does he give Hank?

6. After seeing Bodie in her office and going to his own office, Hank is on his way out but is stopped by a couple of his colleagues. Who are they and what do they want?

7. Where is the second place Hank goes to the night of his television report? What happens there? What does Hank end up doing?

8. Why is Hank under pressure from his department colleagues at the beginning of the book? What does this result in at a staff meeting?

9. What is the narrator, Hank's, full name and what is his occupation? Where does he work?

10. In the Prologue, how does Hank explain that his life was not easy as a child?

(see the answer keys)

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