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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. Why is Art critical of Phlox's college major?

2. What does Phlox wear when she cooks breakfast?

3. What does Art's father offer to buy him?

4. Why is Jane angry at Cleveland?

5. Why do Art and his father have to leave the restaurant?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the author show Phlox's opinion of Arthur's sexuality?

3. How does Art feel about Cleveland's meeting his father?

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

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

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

7. Why is Phlox's fanciful personality so appealing to Art?

8. What happens when Jane unexpectedly shows up at the summer house?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the role of Cleveland's character in the book? Why did the author choose to insert him into the story? Do you think Art and the other characters are better off or not for Cleveland's presence in the story? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Phlox. What are her physical characteristics? What motivates her? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Phlox?

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,043 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample