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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: The Center of the Story.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the author of "The Center of the Story"?
(a) Lydia Davis.
(b) Doris Betts.
(c) Maile Chapman.
(d) Judith Frank.

2. Who is with the landlady when the landlady is talking about the mayor?
(a) No one.
(b) The main character.
(c) The landlady's son.
(d) The mail carrier.

3. What does the sick man want when he calls the main character?
(a) He wants to apologize for the argument they recently had.
(b) He wants her to come over and help him.
(c) He wants her advice about whether to go to the hospital.
(d) He wants to talk about death and the afterlife.

4. Why was the woman reading the Bible during the period she writes about in her story?
(a) Because she needed comfort during the hurricane.
(b) Because she wanted to use Biblical allusions in her writing.
(c) Because it was the High Holy Days.
(d) Because she wanted to know exactly what it said.

5. Why does the main character find that the story she is working on is not an easy one to write?
(a) It is about friendship.
(b) It is about religion.
(c) It is about death.
(d) It is about fear.

Short Answer Questions

1. After completing her first draft of the story, what does the woman realize about it?

2. Who is "thinking of writing a letter to the President" (20)?

3. On her train ride, what does the woman realize she has not given much thought to?

4. What does the narrator say "usually promises to be interesting" (19)?

5. What technique is used in the phrase "the stink of burning hair, fur, and horn" (19)?

(see the answer key)

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