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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. What does Art wonder about his relationship with Arthur?

2. With what type of dog is Happy mated?

3. Which of the following does NOT describe Cleveland's persona?

4. Who is Art's father?

5. To whose summer house do Art, Arthur and Cleveland go for a break from Pittsburgh?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the precipice and the cloud factory symbolize Art's fantasies for his new life?

2. What information does Art Bechstein, the protagonist, provide at the beginning of THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH?

3. What does Teddy's mother do when she discovers what the boys have done to Happy?

4. Why does Art agree to have a beer with Arthur?

5. How does the topic of homosexuality first come up in the story?

6. Describe this period of "dilated time" in Art's life.

7. What does Phlox think her relationship with Art is and what does she do about it?

8. Describe the environment at the bookstore.

9. What is Art's perspective on his education and his upcoming summer?

10. What are some of the phases that Phlox goes through in her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of struggling with personal identity is an important one in this book. Describe how it extends through setting, character and issues and provide examples for each.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of love. Identify at least two themes about love in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the story. Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

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This section contains 992 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample