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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What later part of the narrative is Lucien tied to when, on pages 16-17, the narrator says that "It's as if he's got some part that's simply worn out and needs replacing"?
(a) The argument between Amity and Madison.
(b) The discussion of Nathaniel's parents' immigration.
(c) The description of 9/11.
(d) The discussion of superpowers.

2. When Nathaniel was younger, what did he dream of designing?
(a) Commercial buildings.
(b) City parks.
(c) Houses.
(d) Churches.

3. When he is a young adult, what does Nathaniel think about moving to New York?
(a) His parents would be upset.
(b) He will not be able to meet the right woman there.
(c) It is too crowded and busy.
(d) He is not worthy.

4. What does Nathaniel think motivated his grandparents to move to the Midwest?
(a) Poverty.
(b) Family loyalty.
(c) Whimsy.
(d) Panic.

5. What surprises Lucien about what happened after Charlies's death?
(a) He still wanted to have parties.
(b) His friends grew distant from him.
(c) He did not commit suicide.
(d) His in-laws called him more often than before.

6. After Charlie, Rose, and Isaac, who is the next person that Lucien imagines has come to see him in the gallery?
(a) His deceased brohter.
(b) Nathaniel.
(c) The president.
(d) Miss Mueller.

7. To what does Lucien compare old age?
(a) A garbage dump.
(b) A tar pit.
(c) A house without a kitchen.
(d) A bankrupt business.

8. What does Nathaniel think is happening to Passivityman?
(a) He is growing up.
(b) He is depressed.
(c) He is becoming more realistic.
(d) He is losing his superpowers.

9. What industry does Madison work in?
(a) Law.
(b) Music performance.
(c) Advertising.
(d) Public relations.

10. If he stays in the Midwest, what does Nathaniel suspect will be true about his life when he is eighty years old?
(a) He will end up taking care of his parents for many years.
(b) He will make partner at the architecture firm someday.
(c) He will always regret the decision not to go to New York.
(d) He will be broke and have a terrible personal life.

11. What does Lucien think is "the usual stupid question" (17)?
(a) How he got so old.
(b) Whether he misses Charlie.
(c) What it was like in New York on 9/11/2001.
(d) How to make the world a better place.

12. What detail does Nathaniel notice about Charlie and Lucien when they come to visit his family?
(a) They are boastful.
(b) They wear a lot of jewelry.
(c) They are uncomfortable.
(d) They bring books to read.

13. What is the first thing that Lucien did when the World Trade Center was attacked?
(a) Went to check on Nathaniel.
(b) Went to check on his gallery.
(c) Went to bed with a glass of scotch.
(d) Went to visit Charlie's grave.

14. What does Lucien think about himself and his friends, in the wake of the September 11 attacks?
(a) They make the world worse just by living in it.
(b) They should pay more attention to their friends and families.
(c) They will never recover.
(d) They have been self-absorbed.

15. How does the narrator characterize Miss Meuller's comment, on page 22, that Lucien is a "naughty boy"?
(a) Flirtatious.
(b) Condescending.
(c) Gleeful.
(d) Melancholy.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Amity is trying to convince Nathaniel to move to New York, what does she say stands in his way?

2. What has changed in Lucien's attitude about art since Charlie's death?

3. What does Amity tell Nathaniel is happening to Passivityman?

4. What is Passivityman doing when the reader first encounters him?

5. What is Passivityman's girlfriend's name?

(see the answer keys)

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