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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. After completing her first draft of the story, what does the woman realize about it?
(a) She is losing touch with her passion as a writer.
(b) She cannot remember why she wanted to write it in the first place.
(c) She understands more about herself and her life now that she has written it.
(d) She is afraid that the content of the story will upset her friend.

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

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

5. Besides reading the Bible, what else does the woman spend her time doing in the period of time her story is about?
(a) She looks out the window and watches the news.
(b) She shops for emergency supplies and fills her tub with water.
(c) She calls each of her family members and friends.
(d) She reads the Koran and the Talmud.

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

7. What can be inferred about the woman from the description of the women who try to get her to sit down at their church?
(a) She is Jewish.
(b) She is White.
(c) She is not a Christian.
(d) She is not Black.

8. What does the woman suspect that the man believes about his blasphemy?
(a) It caused the hurricane.
(b) It is no one's business but his own.
(c) It caused his illness.
(d) It is the reason she is angry at him.

9. What specific Biblical story does the writer focus on?
(a) The Garden of Eden.
(b) Noah's Ark.
(c) The Trials of Job.
(d) Jonah and the Great Fish.

10. What technique is used in the phrase "the stink of burning hair, fur, and horn" (19)?
(a) Imagery.
(b) Synesthesia.
(c) Onomatopoeia.
(d) Assonance.

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

12. How does the woman realize her study of religion has made her feel?
(a) Energized.
(b) Confused.
(c) Peaceful.
(d) Guilty.

13. What does the woman think might be preventing her from committing to a center for her story?
(a) Laziness.
(b) Hope.
(c) Curiosity.
(d) Fear.

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

15. What detail of the woman's train ride reinforces the motif of things that come close to happening but do not actually happen?
(a) The direction she is traveling.
(b) Her distance from the city.
(c) Her thoughts about religion.
(d) The water level.

Short Answer Questions

1. For the majority of the story, what tone does the narrator adopt?

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

3. Why does the man in the story feel so ill?

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

5. The man tells the woman that he has committed "blasphemy" (20). What has he done?

(see the answer keys)

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