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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. Which of these is one of the world's "three great religions" according to people like Miss Muller?
(a) Islam.
(b) Animism.
(c) Buddhism.
(d) Mormonism.

4. What does Amity tell Nathaniel is happening to Passivityman?
(a) He is becoming fearful and mediocre.
(b) He is becoming passive-aggressive.
(c) He is becoming a sell-out.
(d) He is becoming lazy.

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

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

7. What is Passivityman?
(a) A band.
(b) A comic series.
(c) A video game.
(d) A television series.

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

9. 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 discussion of superpowers.
(b) The description of 9/11.
(c) The discussion of Nathaniel's parents' immigration.
(d) The argument between Amity and Madison.

10. When Amity is trying to convince Nathaniel to move to New York, what does she say stands in his way?
(a) Money.
(b) Stubbornness.
(c) Fear.
(d) Complacency.

11. What is Passivityman's girlfriend's name?
(a) Madame Mignon.
(b) Ms. Melody.
(c) Doctor Deidre.
(d) Princess Prudence.

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

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

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

15. What incident seems to have sparked a permanent change in Madison?
(a) Meeting his previously unknown sister.
(b) Moving into Matsumoto's loft.
(c) Breaking up with his girlfriend.
(d) Quitting his job.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Passivityman's nemesis?

2. When he is a young adult, what does Nathaniel think about moving to New York?

3. What does Lucien think about himself and his friends, in the wake of the September 11 attacks?

4. What detail does Nathaniel notice about Charlie and Lucien when they come to visit his family?

5. What does Lucien think is "the usual stupid question" (17)?

(see the answer keys)

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