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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. What does Nathaniel suggest that people might be desperate enough to burn in the wake of a global computer failure?
(a) Stacks of money.
(b) Their old issues of the New York Review.
(c) Their children's elementary school artwork.
(d) Their designer clothing and shoes.

2. What does Lucien end up saying to his assistant on page 8 when he wants to give her a piece of advice?
(a) "Don't believe everything you hear."
(b) "Don't feel sad."
(c) "Don't worry."
(d) "Don't bother about the phones."

3. Which character works for Itami Systems?
(a) Lucien.
(b) Matsumoto.
(c) Madison.
(d) Lyle.

4. How are Nathaniel and Lucien related?
(a) Nathaniel is Lucien's nephew by marriage.
(b) Nathaniel is Lucien's brother's son.
(c) Nathaniel is Lucian's cousin's son.
(d) Nathaniel is Lucian's son-in-law.

5. From the story's context, when must Charlie have died?
(a) In the year 2003.
(b) Shortly after the September 11th attack.
(c) Before the year 2000.
(d) In the year 2000.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the possible consequences of a global computer failure that Nathaniel mentions could be considered foreshadowing?

2. What do Rose and Isaac ask Lucien to do when he calls Nathaniel after Nathaniel arrives in New York?

3. What made tears come into Nathaniel's eyes the first time he saw Matsumoto's loft?

4. What is Russell's business relationship to Amity?

5. What is Nathaniel's job in the narrative present?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Nathaniel's friends come to live with him?

2. What qualities does Nathaniel have that worry his parents?

3. Describe Rose and Issac.

4. What is the "Reunion" referred to in the title of the sixth section of the story?

5. What is the "View" that the third section of the story is titled for, and why is it special?

6. Where are Nathaniel and his friends, in the narrative present, and what are they doing?

7. Explain the non-event that "Nathaniel Recalls the Miracle" is centered on.

8. How does the "View" referred to in the third section of the story change in its significance for Nathaniel between his arrival in New York and the narrative present?

9. What is the meaning of the title of the section of the story called "Innocence"?

10. What phrase makes Lucien think about the frog and the boiling water, and why?

(see the answer keys)

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