View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What detail in the description of the man's bedroom indicates how close the hurricane is getting?
(a) The drawn blinds.
(b) The flickering electricity.
(c) The television weather forecast.
(d) The windows rattling.

2. Why does the man in the story feel so ill?
(a) He has the flu.
(b) He is having a heart attack.
(c) He has cancer.
(d) He has food poisoning.

3. In what religion are the High Holy Days a sacred time?
(a) Islam.
(b) Hinduism.
(c) Christianity.
(d) Judaism.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. 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)?

3. What detail does the story give about the shape of the tape on the windows?

4. How does the woman realize her study of religion has made her feel?

5. Why does the main character find that the story she is working on is not an easy one to write?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 342 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample