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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 does Duke's wife scold him in A .45 to Pay the Rent?
(a) Because he spent too much money.
(b) Because he left Lala in the car.
(c) Because he let Lala pick the groceries.
(d) Because he cheated on her.

2. What does Bukowski buy with his food coupons in Love it or Leave it?
(a) Cans of food.
(b) Cheese and bread.
(c) Beer.
(d) Milk.

3. What does the man interpret one of Bukowski's poems to be about in Great Poets Die in Steaming Pots of Shit?
(a) Love.
(b) Suicide.
(c) Suffocation.
(d) Loneliness.

4. What does Dan say about Bukowski's writing in No Stockings?
(a) He praises it.
(b) He avoids the subject.
(c) He criticizes it.
(d) He is confused.

5. In Scenes from the Big Time, what does the narrator do all day?
(a) Order around his cell mate.
(b) Cleans pigeon droppings.
(c) Cleans the kitchen.
(d) Cleans his cell.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the story Great Poets Die in Steaming Pots of Shit, where does Bukowski work?

2. In Doing Time with Public Enemy No. 1, what does Bukowski's non-English speaking cell mate do?

3. In A Quiet Conversation Piece, what does his friend believe the United States needs?

4. What does the narrator offer to his girlfriend in Too Sensitive?

5. What does Bukowski's friend in A Quiet Conversation Piece study to be?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Charles Bukowski's character in Doing Time with Public Enemy No. 1.

2. How does the boyfriend choose to interpret his girlfriend's insult in Too Sensitive?

3. What does Bukowski think of revolution in contrast to Maxie in A Quiet Conversation Piece?

4. How does Bukowksi obey social conventions when attending the wedding in The Great Zen Wedding?

5. Describe the character of Signo in The Stupid Christs.

6. Why does Signo fire Skorski in The Stupid Christs?

7. In My Stay in the Poet's Cottage, how does Bukowski reply to the editor who is shocked at his walking in the stifling heat rather than wait for the bus?

8. What is Harry driven by in Reunion?

9. Describe Duke's relationship with Lala in A .45 to Pay the Rent.

10. What distinct human traits are revealed in Rape! Rape!?

(see the answer keys)

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