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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. After Quinn runs out of money and leaves the alleyway, he sees his reflection in a mirror. His own image reminds him of whom?
(a) Jonathon Swift.
(b) Peter Stillman.
(c) Don Quixote.
(d) Robinson Crusoe.

2. Where does the second meeting between Quinn and Stillman take place in Chapter 9?
(a) The Santa Maria Cafe.
(b) The Pinta Hotel.
(c) The Titanic Hotel.
(d) The Mayflower Cafe.

3. At the end of Chapter 4, Quinn begins to think of preventing Peter Stillman's murder as personal redemption for his inability to prevent the death of whom?
(a) His son.
(b) His father.
(c) His dog.
(d) His wife.

4. Which historical figure was faced with the challenge of standing an egg on its end?
(a) Washington.
(b) Lincoln.
(c) Napoleon.
(d) Columbus.

5. What happens each time Auster tries to reach Virginia Stillman by telephone in Chapter 11?
(a) He speaks to Peter Stillman.
(b) He speaks to Virginia Stillman.
(c) He gets a busy signal.
(d) He speaks to the Stillman's maid.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Stillman's notes in Chapter 5, which character does he suspect of not being trustworthy?

2. According to Stillman, how is man like an egg?

3. What was Virginia Stillman's profession before she married Peter?

4. Where did Virginia and Peter Stillman meet?

5. What item does Stillman carry with him on his daily walks?

Short Essay Questions

1. While Quinn is living in the alleyway in Chapter 12, what is his sleep schedule like? How is he able to measure the amount of time he has been sleeping?

2. Where does Stillman go after leaving Grand Central Station? Why is Quinn surprised by this?

3. What does Quinn believe is the key to effective detective work? Does his theory prove to be correct? Why or why not?

4. In the telephone calls in Chapter 1, with whom is Quinn confused? What is the nature of this person's work?

5. In Chapter 11, what does Quinn write about in the red notebook? According to his observations, what is the social hierarchy of the vagabond population like?

6. What is Stillman's theory about having children? What is the correlation between having children and knowledge?

7. After losing track of Stillman, who does Quinn seek out for advice on the Stillman case? Why does he think this person will be able to help him?

8. What is the danger of Quinn's becoming too bored while following Stillman? Who does he pretend to be in order to combat his boredom?

9. Why is Virginia Stillman scared when Quinn calls her at the end of Chapter 9? What makes her think that Stillman may have contacted Peter?

10. What is unusual about the relationship between Peter Stillman and his wife Virginia? What does Virginia do to make their relationship work?

(see the answer keys)

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