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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the result of J.P.'s arrest?
(a) He spends two nights in jail.
(b) He loses his license and can't drive to work.
(c) His car is impounded.
(d) He has to pay a fine.

2. How old is J.P.?
(a) Thirty-eight.
(b) Twenty-two.
(c) Forty.
(d) About thirty.

3. In the story, what is the well a metaphor for?
(a) Childhood.
(b) Despair.
(c) Self-hatred.
(d) Alcoholism.

4. In what part of the state does the story take place?
(a) Middle.
(b) North.
(c) South.
(d) West.

5. Why does "the guy who travels" say he travels?
(a) Business.
(b) He is rich.
(c) To get away from his wife.
(d) Pleasure.

6. What does the proprietor say to the other men about Tiny after he has fallen?
(a) "Call 911!"
(b) "Don't move him!"
(c) "Give him air!"
(d) "Lift his head!"

7. When does the narrator's appetite return?
(a) After two days.
(b) After a week.
(c) New Year's Day.
(d) New Year's Eve.

8. As he tells his stories, why can J.P. not use his hands?
(a) They are trembling badly.
(b) They are cold.
(c) One of them is broken.
(d) They feel numb.

9. What does J.P. say his courtship with his wife mainly revolved around?
(a) Cleaning chimneys.
(b) Holding Hands.
(c) Kissing.
(d) Drinking.

10. What do J.P. and the narrator use for an ashtray?
(a) A coffee mug.
(b) A lid.
(c) A coal bucket.
(d) A tin can.

11. What is the last line of the story?
(a) "Guess who?"
(b) "Did I wake you up?"
(c) "It's me."
(d) "Happy New Year."

12. What is one thing J.P. worries about when he is in the well?
(a) That it would rain.
(b) That something would fall on him.
(c) All of the above.
(d) That he would starve to death.

13. What three things does J.P. mention hearing from the bottom of the well?
(a) Birds' wings, a dog barking, and a train whistle.
(b) Birds' wings, a car horn, and a dog barking.
(c) Birds' wings, insects rustling, and the wind.
(d) The wind, a car horn, and birds singing.

14. Who is the very first character mentioned in the story?
(a) J.P.
(b) Frank Martin.
(c) Tiny.
(d) The narrator.

15. What phrase does the narrator say whenever J.P. stops telling his story about meeting and dating his wife?
(a) "Is that it?"
(b) "Then what?"
(c) "Let me guess..."
(d) "You can stop."

Short Answer Questions

1. How many children does the narrator have?

2. When J.P. physically fights with his wife, what does she do?

3. Where do J.P. and his wife go on subsequent dates?

4. How long were the narrator and his wife married?

5. What reason does J.P. give for his starting to drink heavily?

(see the answer keys)

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