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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Howie sees the design flaw in escalators as the steps being ______.

2. What does Howie discuss in his last footnote in Chapter 13?

3. At age twenty-five, what percentage of Howie's thoughts are adult?

4. How many sinks are there in the men's bathroom?

5. What does Howie do along with washing his face in the bathroom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of Howie's favorite games to play on the escalator?

2. Why does Howie consider CVS to be the diary of stores?

3. What does Howie notice about tunes whistled in the men's room?

4. What are some of the odd personal habits of various philosophers that Howie describes?

5. Howie does Howie think his corporation flaunts their status?

6. What does Howie notice as he rushes out the revolving door and onto the plaza for his lunch break?

7. What activity does Howie describe that both he and L take part in when alone in an elevator?

8. Why does Howie eventually stop trying to walk up or down the escalator?

9. What observations does Howie make about vending machines?

10. What does Howie note that he is surprised about in the men's bathroom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Has Baker achieved a literary work of profound complexity or is "The Mezzanine" a trivial novel, completely lacking in plot? Explain your view based on evidence in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

What profound insight does Howie achieve through his stream of consciousness while riding the subway? Could he have had this same insight without the constant stream of trivial thoughts? Is his realization truly profound, transcending the triviality of his mundane thoughts?

Essay Topic 3

What is the climax of the book in Chapter 14? How does this tiny moment define the entire novel?

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