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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. 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 know exactly what it said.
(c) Because she wanted to use Biblical allusions in her writing.
(d) Because it was the High Holy Days.

2. What does the landlady say the mayor gave her?
(a) Carpet.
(b) An award.
(c) Flowers.
(d) A stove.

3. What does the hurricane do to the city in the woman's story?
(a) Causes flooding that disrupts transportation.
(b) Drops large hail that smashes windows in buildings and in cars.
(c) Passes by without actually striking the city.
(d) Produces winds that uproot trees and tear off several roofs.

4. What color is the light in the man's bedroom?
(a) Yellow.
(b) Blue.
(c) Purple.
(d) Grey.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the woman suspect that the man believes about his blasphemy?

2. In the story's opening sentence, what is implied about the main character's writing?

3. What detail in the description of the man's bedroom indicates how close the hurricane is getting?

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

5. What denomination is the last church that the woman visits?

(see the answer key)

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