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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. Which of the following is not a trait shared by Bukowski and Jeff in "A Drinking Partner?"
(a) Fugitive.
(b) Light eater.
(c) Single.
(d) Heavy drinker.

2. What is notable about Bukowski's time at the track in "The Beginner?"
(a) He no longer wishes to gamble on horses.
(b) He finds himself getting bored.
(c) He discovers Madge wins money by sleeping with the bookie.
(d) He writes himself as a novice horse race gambler.

3. Which assassination or assassinations does Hitler claim to have been behind in "Swastika?"
(a) John Lennon
(b) Martin Luther King, Jr.
(c) The Kennedys'.
(d) Medgar Evans.

4. What does Blanchard tell the cops that results in the two officers reacting with violence?
(a) He tells them that the children are lying.
(b) He tells them the girl had consented.
(c) He tells them he could not control himself.
(d) He tells them that there is nothing wrong with what he did.

5. In what activity is Marie engaged when Charlie grows aroused by her?
(a) Yoga.
(b) Painting.
(c) Carving wooden figures.
(d) Making straw hats.

Short Answer Questions

1. What rumor does Lincoln believe about Vasquez?

2. According to Mason, what sort of product must he push in order to make a profit in his business?

3. According to Bill, what animals will probably attack the corpse off of Venice Beach?

4. Why does Talbot choose to not sleep with the prostitute?

5. What spurs Bukowski to comment on the events of 1968 in "Politics is like Trying to Screw a Cat in the Ass?"

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the factors Tony and Bill discuss before seeing their stolen corpse for the first time?

2. Who are some of the famous writers discussed in "The Day We Talk About James Thurber" and why?

3. What are the logistics of Harry's plan to recover the gold from the artillery range?

4. What happens off of the coast of Spain in "Politics is like Trying to Screw a Cat in the Ass?"

5. What is significant about the prostitute's brother in "Trouble with a Battery?"

6. What is significant about the U.S.S. Pueblo?

7. Describe Herb and Talbot's relationship.

8. What does Bukowski mean when he disagrees with Herb's assessment that the schoolchildren who were killed in the explosion never got laid?

9. What leads up to Bukowski never seeing Jeff again in "A Drinking Partner?"

10. Why does Bukowski decide to find a better girlfriend than Madge at the end of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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