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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. In the story's opening sentence, what is implied about the main character's writing?
(a) She is losing interest in her career.
(b) She does not deserve the praise she has gotten.
(c) Her readers are gradually deserting her.
(d) More than one of her stories is uninteresting.

2. Why are rams' horns being blown all around the city?
(a) It is Rosh Hashanah.
(b) It is Hanukkah.
(c) It is Sukkot.
(d) It is Yom Kippur.

3. For what reason, besides that "there may not be enough to tell about him," does the woman think that the man might not be the right "center" for her story (20)?
(a) The man will be angry that she wrote about him.
(b) This might not be the right time to tell his story.
(c) She is unclear about how she feels about the man.
(d) There is no real resolution to his story.

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

5. The man tells the woman that he has committed "blasphemy" (20). What has he done?
(a) Shown disrespect to God.
(b) Told a harmful lie about someone.
(c) Cursed God's name.
(d) Contemplated suicide.

Short Answer Questions

1. What detail of the woman's train ride reinforces the motif of things that come close to happening but do not actually happen?

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

3. What does the woman think might be preventing her from committing to a center for her story?

4. What detail in the description of the man indicates how ill he feels?

5. In what religion are the High Holy Days a sacred time?

(see the answer key)

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