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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does "bene' mean, according to the author in "Nota Bene" (98)?

2. For about how many years were the author's parents married?

3. At what kind of restaurant does the author describe going to a buffet in "Annoyed No More"?

4. What food does the author describe eating in his recurring dreams in "Inefficiency"?

5. What is the name of the cafe the author describes in "Coffee without the Saucer"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What atmosphere is evoked through the setting of "Coffee without the Saucer"?

2. How does the author describe his audience in "Weirdly Untitled"?

3. What song is the center of the author's discussion in "To Spread the Sweetness of Love"? Why?

4. What setting is described in "REPENT OR BURN"? What is this setting like?

5. What animal is described in "Not Only..."? Where is it described?

6. How is Don Belton described in "Flower in the Curb"?

7. Who is the main subject in the essay "Baby, Baby, Baby"?

8. What does the author observe about the etymology of the word "essay" in "Blowing It Off"?

9. How does the author describe the bellhop in "Beast Mode"?

10. What song is discussed in "Donny Hathaway on Pandora"? What is the subject of the song?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In several of the essays in The Book of Delights, the author describes a scene that takes place in transit. How do these settings differ from others in the collection? What is symbolic about settings that are between two locales? How do the author's interactions in these settings differ from interactions elsewhere?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the concepts of masculinity and femininity as explored in The Book of Delights. How has the author's views and perceptions changed in regard to sexual roles in society? How does he use symbolism to help illustrate these themes? What is his central statement regarding sexual or gender bias?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the structure of The Book of Delights. How many essays comprise the collection? How do the essays flow into one another? Is there a relationship between each essay? Why do you think the author has structured the collection in this way?

(see the answer keys)

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