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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie find so compelling about George?
(a) His attention to detail.
(b) His lack of anxiety.
(c) His high-powered job.
(d) His sense of humor.

2. In "Café Mort," who comes in with the electrocuted woman?
(a) Her husband.
(b) Her daughter.
(c) Her sister.
(d) Her nurse.

3. In "While It Lasts," what does Isabel claim is "antisocial" (80)?
(a) Falling in love.
(b) Inside jokes.
(c) Leaving a party early.
(d) Refusing to drink alcohol.

4. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what is Ned embarrassed about when he remembers coming to Boston Common with his mother seven years before?
(a) The outfits he and his brother wore.
(b) How little he knew about Boston.
(c) The argument he got into with his mother.
(d) His mother's drinking.

5. In "Why I Don't Write," what song title does the narrator think of?
(a) "Hocus Pocus."
(b) "I Don't Like Mondays."
(c) "Down With the Sickness."
(d) "Crawl to Me, Baby, Crawl to Me."

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

7. In "Boston Common at Twilight," where is Ned's family home?
(a) Marshport.
(b) Concord.
(c) Cambridge.
(d) Charlestown.

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

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

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

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

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

13. On page 108 of "Boston Common at Twilight," what causes Ned to feel "something hot and terrible rush through him"?
(a) He notices that the woman may be trying to disguise her biological sex.
(b) The woman shows Ned the knife.
(c) The woman tells Ned that he will need to come back to her apartment.
(d) The woman grabs Ned's arm.

14. On page 75 of "Why I Don't Write," the exclamation point in "Passing a man who holds your gaze!" is likely meant to convey what emotions?
(a) Fear and confusion.
(b) Weariness and suspicion.
(c) Surprise and happiness.
(d) Anger and disgust.

15. Throughout "Why I Don't Write," variations of what question are asked several times?
(a) "When will the magazines arrive?"
(b) "Is this as unbelievable as I think it is?"
(c) "Can I just see that one more time?"
(d) "How many children do you have?"

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what does Ned like about staying with his aunt?

2. In "While It Lasts," who is hosting the dinner party?

3. In "Café Mort," what does the narrator guess about the man "with eyes ringed like a raccoon's" (94)?

4. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what causes Ned to believe that the big man on the subway will not be willing to help him?

5. In "While It Lasts," what comparison does Bonnie make between George and Mr. Buffy?

(see the answer keys)

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