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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) The advice applies to the narrator's life, as well.
(b) The narrator does not have a computer.
(c) Unsolicited advice clearly bothers the narrator.
(d) The narrator's computer is brand new.

2. In "While It Lasts," George is said to be "an expert at being flippant" (82). What does this mean George is good at?
(a) Deadpan, ironic humor.
(b) Dark, bitter humor.
(c) Absurd, farcical humor.
(d) Shallow, disrespectful humor.

3. In "Boston Common at Twilight," why are Ned's parents splitting up?
(a) Ned's father wants to move the family to the West Coast for his business.
(b) Because of Ned's mother's drinking.
(c) Ned's father is under criminal investigation.
(d) Ned's father has fallen in love with another woman.

4. At what time of year does "Boston Common at Twilight" take place?
(a) Christmas.
(b) Halloween.
(c) Thanksgiving.
(d) Easter.

5. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what causes Ned to believe that the big man on the subway will not be willing to help him?
(a) The man turns away and refuses to make eye contact.
(b) The man seems to know the woman who is abducting Ned.
(c) The man looks right through him like he is not there.
(d) The man laughs at him.

6. On page 84 of "While It Lasts," what does Mr. Buffy tell Bonnie and George about love?
(a) "Love is for the birds."
(b) "Love is a sucker's game."
(c) "Loving and liking are different things."
(d) "Being in love is like being crazy."

7. On page 66 of "Why I Don't Write," what is the subject of the only article the narrator reads all the way through?
(a) A bombing.
(b) A suicide.
(c) A traffic accident.
(d) A missing child.

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

9. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what sport is Ned involved in?
(a) Hockey.
(b) Lacrosse.
(c) Diving.
(d) Football.

10. On page 73 of "Why I Don't Write," the list of what "Bob Dylan says," ("He's all right" and "He's not all right") is an example of which technique?
(a) Oxymoron.
(b) Paradox.
(c) Tautology.
(d) Ambiguity.

11. In "While It Lasts," who is hosting the dinner party?
(a) Bonnie.
(b) George.
(c) Richard.
(d) Isabel.

12. In "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie do for a living?
(a) She is a psychologist.
(b) She is a public defender.
(c) She is a teacher.
(d) She is an interior designer.

13. 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) Dickenson.
(b) Beckett.
(c) Rimbaud.
(d) Dylan.

14. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what does Ned like about staying with his aunt?
(a) She is the only one who will talk about his mother.
(b) The lack of rules.
(c) His uncle Rob's collection of sports memorabilia.
(d) The food and the television.

15. In "While It Lasts," what does Isabel ask Bonnie about George's job?
(a) Whether he has started spending more time at work.
(b) Whether Bonnie knows exactly what it is.
(c) Whether Bonnie is comfortable with what he does for a living.
(d) Whether he is interested in a promotion.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "While It Lasts," why is Bonnie unable to hear the last thing that Mr. Buffy tries to tell her?

2. In "Café Mort," who is the restaurant manager?

3. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what does Ned remember most from the day of the assault?

4. In "While It Lasts," what does George compliment Isabel on?

5. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what temporarily makes Ned feel safer?

(see the answer keys)

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