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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What reminds the narrator of her mother standing in the doorway at the start of "Mother"?
(a) A smell.
(b) The sight of her old house.
(c) A woman who looks like her.
(d) A song.

2. What did the narrator once bring to school in sixth grade, according to Jack in "The Immigrant Story"?
(a) The Catholic Bible.
(b) American flags.
(c) Polish flags.
(d) The Torah.

3. How did Samuel die in "Samuel"?
(a) He was crushed between subway cars.
(b) He had a heart attack.
(c) He purposely jumped in front of a moving train.
(d) He was hit by a car.

4. With whom does Faith leave her sons when she decides to run in the old neighborhood?
(a) Ricardo.
(b) Mrs. Luddy.
(c) Her mother.
(d) Mrs. Raferty.

5. Who is Philip's ex-wife in "Dreamer in a Dead Language"?
(a) Cynthia Darwin.
(b) Dolly Raftery.
(c) Dotty Wasserman.
(d) Anita Franklin.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of Dennis's band in "Enormous Changes at the Last Minute"?

2. What had Lavinia's mother planned to do for work before she got married?

3. What was Mr. Zagrowsky's occupation before retirement in "Zagrowsky Tells"?

4. What did Vicente's school suggest he should be in "A Man Told Me the Story of His Life"?

5. How old is Faith when she takes up running in "The Long-Distance Runner"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the women in "Politics" want a fence built around the playground?

2. Describe the progression of the man's relationship with his female neighbor in "The Burdened Man."

3. What does Jack suspect is the real reason Faith wants a baby in "Listening"?

4. What happened to Selena's daughter Abby? What did Tonto say about Abby at the end?

5. What does Jack say could happen if they have a baby as the narrator suggests in "The Story Hearer"?

6. How did Cissy become pregnant with Emmanuel? Why does her father care for him?

7. Why is the birth in "At That Time, or The History of a Joke" said to be a miracle?

8. What happens to Juniper in "Little Girl"?

9. Describe Dennis in "Enormous Changes at the Last Minute." How does he react when he learns Alexandra is pregnant?

10. Why does Jack think his father was sleeping in a crib when he was young? Why does the narrator think he was doing this?

(see the answer keys)

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