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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Livid give Pallid permission to think of his sons as his in a letter?
(a) Because he is dying.
(b) Because he lives very far away.
(c) Because he has never met the children.
(d) Because he does not think the children are his.

2. What does Freddy tell Dotty in his postcard after she goes overseas?
(a) She was basically a prostitute.
(b) He wished he had married her.
(c) He regrets having met her.
(d) They can get married as soon as she returns.

3. Why did Dotty get angry and leave Freddy's after spending a couple days at his place in "The Contest"?
(a) She found out he turned down a job.
(b) He said he would never marry her.
(c) She found out he had other girlfriends.
(d) He told her she was overweight.

4. Why did Virginia's children call Thursday "Johnday" in "An Interest in Life"?
(a) Because Virginia went to John's house every Thursday.
(b) Because John came over each Thursday.
(c) Because John took Virginia on a date each Thursday.
(d) Because John called them every Thursday.

5. Which character is helping the narrator find a job in "The Floating Truth"?
(a) John.
(b) Eddie.
(c) Richard.
(d) Edsel.

6. Why did Virginia's husband begin sleeping on the floor?
(a) He said she was so fat there was no room for him in their bed.
(b) He snored so loudly it kept her awake.
(c) The kids always slept in bed with Virginia.
(d) He said it was cooler on the floor.

7. Why did Vlashkin call Rose a week before she told Lillie her story?
(a) To tell her he was getting divorced.
(b) To ask her to be in one of his plays.
(c) To tell her he was dying.
(d) To beg her forgiveness.

8. What does Mr. Graham help Charles do at the end of "An Irrevocable Diameter"?
(a) Go back to school.
(b) Get a home loan.
(c) Start a business.
(d) Buy a new car.

9. Who gives Virginia $10 after he husband left, but tells her not to contact the authorities?
(a) John.
(b) Her husband's brother.
(c) Mrs. Raftery.
(d) Her husband's mother.

10. Why does Virginia refuse to make love to John the first time he tries in "An Interest in Life"?
(a) She worries her husband will come home.
(b) She is not attracted to John.
(c) She will not make love to a married man.
(d) She worries he is so devout he will regret it.

11. What event prompted Dolly to plunge a life "at least an eight of an inch in the fat of [her] heart" (140)?
(a) John said he was going to marry Ginny.
(b) She found out John was cheating on his wife.
(c) John said he never wanted to speak to her again.
(d) John said he was moving to California.

12. What event at work upsets the narrator in "The Floating Truth"?
(a) The narrator is being asked to do too much work.
(b) The narrator's boss harrasses her.
(c) A new, young woman is hired.
(d) The narrator is fired.

13. Which character in "A Woman, Young and Old" worked at the Paris Coffee House on Saturday?
(a) Joanna.
(b) Josie.
(c) Lizzy.
(d) Josie's mother.

14. Who is Margaret in "Distance"?
(a) John's secretary.
(b) John's wife.
(c) Ginny's best friend.
(d) Dolly's sister.

15. In "A Subject of Childhood," where does Faith feel like "a star" (91)?
(a) At work.
(b) In the kitchen.
(c) At the laundromat.
(d) In her apartment building.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Anna not cry when Michael died?

2. What does Livid tell Faith after Richard reads to them?

3. What event sparks Eddie's resignation from the Home for Boys' Zoo?

4. What does Virginia tell Mrs. Raftery when she asks where her husband is going in "An Interest in Life"?

5. Who is the speaker in "Distance"?

(see the answer keys)

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