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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who wrote the story about Ziegler?
(a) Nikolai Gogol.
(b) Hermann Hesse.
(c) Italo Calvino.
(d) Franz Kafka.

2. How does Jonathan see his dissertation research putting him in Ziegler’s position?
(a) He has documented the animalistic subtext to language.
(b) He has revealed the pervasive hostility in language.
(c) He has exposed the grudging psychology that uses language for its ends.
(d) He has revealed the underlying chaos in language.

3. What is Darren doing at the beginning of the novel?
(a) Hiding in the woods.
(b) Walking home.
(c) Drinking with friends.
(d) Being interrogated.

4. To whom is the chapter titled “Men” addressed?
(a) Jonathan.
(b) Adam.
(c) Jane.
(d) Darren.

5. How did Darren believe he acquired magic powers?
(a) By repeating a chant.
(b) By entering a dark cave.
(c) By rubbing poison ivy.
(d) By kissing a girl.

6. Where was Jane giving a lecture when her friendship with Sima fell apart?
(a) The Kennedy Center.
(b) Washburn University.
(c) The Topeka Foundation.
(d) The 92nd Street Y.

7. What was Darren’s therapist’s response when Darren lost his job?
(a) He was angry at himself for not foreseeing him running into trouble.
(b) He wanted to give Darren tools for managing his feelings.
(c) He was angry at the customer who got him fired.
(d) He was angry at Darren.

8. What does the narrator say is the result of the spread?
(a) Labyrinths of logic.
(b) Insight.
(c) Non sequiturs.
(d) Drivel.

9. What drugs had Jonathan and Jane taken when they went to the Met?
(a) Acid.
(b) Mushrooms.
(c) Cocaine.
(d) Marijuana.

10. Who of Adams friends and family could he recognize by name after his concussion?
(a) Jane.
(b) Jonathan.
(c) Sima.
(d) Jason.

11. What does Ziegler hear, once he can understand this language?
(a) Affection.
(b) Contempt.
(c) The voice of God.
(d) Endless questions.

12. How far apart were Adam and Jason born?
(a) 4 years.
(b) 4 days.
(c) 4 months.
(d) 4 weeks.

13. Where were Jonathan and his first wife married?
(a) On the beach.
(b) City Hall.
(c) A country club.
(d) In a Catholic church.

14. What does Adam say these figures can trigger?
(a) Psychotic hallucinations
(b) Vomiting.
(c) Seizures.
(d) Cancer.

15. What distinguishes Kenneth Erwood in Topeka?
(a) He is an outspoken anti-war protestor.
(b) He is a MacArthur Genius grant winner.
(c) He is black.
(d) He is openly gay.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Darren say has been hanging in space all his life?

2. Who was Jonathan about to leave, when he read the Ziegler story?

3. How long does the narrator say it will take Adam to see the connection between Amber’s story and her actions?

4. In Jane’s recollection, when did she discover she failed to purchase airline tickets for her trip?

5. What do the figures behind Adam’s eyes make him afraid of?

(see the answer keys)

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