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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Café Mort," what is true of all of the employees?
(a) They are figments of the narrator's imagination.
(b) They are in limbo.
(c) They are in mourning.
(d) They are dead.

2. On page 107 of "Boston Common at Twilight," what causes Ned to sudden feel "that something uncertain was going to happen and he would be blamed for whatever it was"?
(a) When the woman gestures for him to follow her out of the park.
(b) When the woman first speaks to him in the park.
(c) When the woman shows Ned the knife.
(d) When the woman leads him into the subway.

3. On page 66 of "Why I Don't Write," what is ironic about the diagnosis of the computer problem "Your system must be overloaded"?
(a) Unsolicited advice clearly bothers the narrator.
(b) The advice applies to the narrator's life, as well.
(c) The narrator's computer is brand new.
(d) The narrator does not have a computer.

4. In "While It Lasts," what single word is Bonnie's "first lie to [George]" (87)?
(a) "Nothing."
(b) "Yes."
(c) "Isabel."
(d) "Yesterday."

5. In "While It Lasts," whose owns the apartment where the party is held?
(a) Richard's company.
(b) Mr. Buffy.
(c) Isabel's stepmother.
(d) Froy.

6. At the end of "Café Mort," what question does Rita ask the narrator on page 101?
(a) "Do you remember?"
(b) "Have we lost you?"
(c) "How long will you stay?"
(d) "Can you help me?"

7. In "Café Mort," what is the name of the woman in the white nightgown who claims that she is still alive?
(a) Francine.
(b) Jules.
(c) Roxanne.
(d) Anita.

8. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what is the name of Ned's aunt?
(a) Mary Ellen.
(b) Sharon.
(c) Marcie.
(d) Elsie.

9. In "Café Mort," which waitress has been at the café the longest?
(a) Maggie.
(b) Karen.
(c) Rita.
(d) Sharon.

10. In "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie think is Isabel's problem with finding love?
(a) She thinks that Isabel's drinking turns men off.
(b) She thinks that Isabel is not serious enough about life.
(c) She thinks that Isabel might not actually be attracted to men.
(d) She thinks that Isabel's standards are too high.

11. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what has changed in Ned's thinking about his mother as he has gotten older?
(a) He now wishes that she would act more like a grown-up.
(b) He is not as convinced that she really loves his father.
(c) He wonders more about what her life was like before he and his brother were born.
(d) He has more compassion for her erratic moods.

12. On page 71 of "Why I Don't Write," of which author does the narrator say, "Open any page...and have the top of your head taken off"?
(a) Dylan.
(b) Rimbaud.
(c) Beckett.
(d) Dickenson.

13. In "While It Lasts," why is Bonnie unable to hear the last thing that Mr. Buffy tries to tell her?
(a) Mr. Buffy is on the other side of the glass door.
(b) A car honks its horn just as he speaks.
(c) The wind is too loud.
(d) George hurries her away.

14. In "Café Mort," what occupies the attention of the "beige woman"?
(a) The small dog she has in her purse.
(b) The man with dark-rimmed eyes.
(c) A miniature television.
(d) The cooks.

15. In "Café Mort," who is the restaurant manager?
(a) Roman.
(b) Jerry.
(c) Gil.
(d) Mac.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Why I Don't Write," what is a logical antecedent for "one" in the sentence "He got another one, prettier, younger" (72)?

2. Throughout "Why I Don't Write," variations of what question are asked several times?

3. In "Café Mort," what attitude is more common among the late-night customers?

4. In "Café Mort," how does the narrator unwind after a shift at work?

5. In "Café Mort," what does the narrator guess about Maggie?

(see the answer keys)

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