View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the black man that Cleveland fights with?

2. For whom is Cleveland working?

3. What does Cleveland force Art to do?

4. In what type of place does Cleveland live?

5. What does one of the women in the house say about Cleveland?

Short Essay Questions

1. When does Art realize what his true feelings are for Arthur?

2. Explain how Art's lack of real friendship in his life has driven him to behave the way he does with Cleveland, Phlox and Arthur.

3. Why is Art uncomfortable knowing that the other gangsters know who he is?

4. Describe the scenario in which Cleveland robs the house?

5. What seems to be Art's routine of how he spends his days and nights this summer?

6. Who helps Art to free himself of the bonds related to his father?

7. How does Phlox meet Art's father?

8. What seems to be the source of Art's greatest emotional pain?

9. What is Art feeling during the time he has an affair with Arthur in the weather woman's apartment?

10. What is the symbolism of the cicadas for Art's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH is a classic story of the search for love. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The search for love seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is this longing for love? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Art. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Art?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,167 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample