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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Mel become frustrated?
(a) He cannot open the wine bottle.
(b) He has difficulty remembering things.
(c) He has trouble understanding the emotional aspects of the heart.
(d) His wife is constantly interrupting him.

2. Which of the following are included in the plot of Carver's story?
(a) Nick thinks back to a previous relationship.
(b) Four characters gather in someone's home.
(c) The story takes place in early morning.
(d) The characters are much happier at the end of the story.

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

4. Over what length of time does this story take place?
(a) One week.
(b) One evening.
(c) About thirty minutes.
(d) Two days.

5. What effect does the alcohol have on the characters by the end of the story?
(a) The characters are all crying.
(b) The characters are all laughing.
(c) The characters become angry with one another.
(d) The characters are all numb.

6. Which of the following events is the climax of Carver's story?
(a) The fight between Nick and Mel.
(b) The conversation in Terri's mind.
(c) Mel's story of why the old man is depressed.
(d) The revelation of Laura's secret.

7. Which of the following is an example of situational irony?
(a) Mel says he does not know anything about love, and the reader finds this to be true.
(b) The story is about finding the meaning of love, yet it ends with no clear meaning at all.
(c) Laura and Nick are not really in love.
(d) Terri is Mel's wife, but used to be married to his brother.

8. What is Nick's understanding of Terri and Mel's relationship?
(a) It is unromantic and hostile.
(b) It is something he wants to work toward.
(c) He is neutral toward their relationship.
(d) It is strong and full of love for each other.

9. Who ultimately provides the most insight into what love really means?
(a) Nick.
(b) Mel.
(c) Laura.
(d) Terri.

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

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

12. Who encourages Mel to explore the topic of love?
(a) No one.
(b) Laura.
(c) His wife.
(d) Terri.

13. What does Terri think of the other couple's relationship?
(a) It is horrible and she is glad hers isn't like it.
(b) It is innocent and will change after awhile.
(c) It is unclear because the narrator fails to recount Terri's dialogue.
(d) It is wonderful and inviting.

14. How does the author characterize Laura?
(a) Harsh and unreasonable.
(b) Intelligent and observant.
(c) Transparent and unreliable.
(d) Virtuous and innocent.

15. Which of the following terms refers to the literal definition of 'heart'?
(a) Denotation.
(b) Symbolism.
(c) Connotation.
(d) Imagery.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following literary devices does the author use in his story?

2. How does the author characterize Terri and Mel's relationship?

3. In which part of the story does the narrator mention where the characters are from?

4. What is the narrator's understanding of the meaning of love by the end of the story?

5. What literary device does the author use in portraying Mel's difficulty in understanding love despite his profession?

(see the answer keys)

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