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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In what part of the story does the exposition appear?
(a) The beginning.
(b) The end.
(c) The middle.
(d) There is not exposition in this story.

2. Which of the following is the denotation of the word 'love'?
(a) An extreme dislike of another person.
(b) Past memories associated with relationships.
(c) A tender affection for another person.
(d) The images that come to mind and the feelings that are evoked.

3. Which of the following describes the literary device Carver uses when Terri and Mel talk about Terri's past relationship in detail?
(a) Imagery.
(b) Dramatic irony.
(c) Flashback.
(d) Symbolism.

4. When the author uses the term 'universal', to what is he referring?
(a) The stages of love.
(b) Marriage.
(c) The romance present in relationships.
(d) The use of song to make people feel better.

5. Which of the following describes Laura's attitude toward Mel as the evening progresses?
(a) Sympathetic.
(b) Hostile.
(c) Infatuated.
(d) Disgusted.

6. Through which of the following methods does Carver communicate most of the significant aspects of his story?
(a) Figurative language.
(b) Metamorphism.
(c) Dialogue.
(d) Hyperbole.

7. How are the two couples different from other people in a relationship?
(a) They are no different.
(b) They are older than the average couple in love.
(c) They have a weaker understanding of love.
(d) They have a better understanding of love.

8. What is the narrator's understanding of the meaning of love by the end of the story?
(a) It is depressing.
(b) It is full of thrills and romance.
(c) It is only available to those married a long time.
(d) It is unclear.

9. As Carver's story progresses, how do Mel and Terri's attitudes toward each other change?
(a) They become more hostile toward each other.
(b) They fall more in love.
(c) They become more polite to each other.
(d) They are indifferent toward each other.

10. According to the author, how common are the stages of love the couples are experiencing?
(a) They are universal.
(b) They are common to couples their age.
(c) They are unique to these couples.
(d) They are common to Western European couples.

11. Which of the following techniques does the author use in his story?
(a) Imagery.
(b) Alliteration.
(c) Hyperbole.
(d) Anthropomorphism.

12. Which of the following is a form of entertainment for the characters?
(a) Playing board games.
(b) Singing songs.
(c) Smoking.
(d) Drinking alcohol.

13. How does the author characterize Nick?
(a) Passive and observant.
(b) Gentle and compassionate.
(c) Loud and gregarious.
(d) Reasonable and logical.

14. What literary tool is used in the story of the old couple and Mel and Terri's relationship?
(a) Anthropomorphism.
(b) Parallelism.
(c) Alliteration.
(d) Imagery.

15. What is Mel unable to do in this story?
(a) Become uninhibited.
(b) Articulate his ideas about love.
(c) Understand the workings of the human heart.
(d) Comprehend the effect of imagery in the story.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is the resolution following the climax?

2. How does the author characterize Laura?

3. Which of the following literary techniques does the author use in comparing Mel's profession with the topic of conversation?

4. Where are the other characters when Mel begins to talk about love?

5. Which of the following are included in the plot of Carver's story?

(see the answer keys)

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