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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 has more compassion for her erratic moods.
(c) He wonders more about what her life was like before he and his brother were born.
(d) He is not as convinced that she really loves his father.

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

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

4. 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) Anger and disgust.
(b) Fear and confusion.
(c) Weariness and suspicion.
(d) Surprise and happiness.

5. In "Boston Common at Twilight," how many times has Ned seen his father since his father broke the news about his separation from their mother?
(a) 0.
(b) 1.
(c) 3.
(d) 2.

6. In "Boston Common at Twilight," who is Matt?
(a) Ned's coach.
(b) A day student at Ned's school.
(c) Ned's father.
(d) Ned's brother.

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

8. 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) Tautology.
(b) Paradox.
(c) Ambiguity.
(d) Oxymoron.

9. In "Why I Don't Write," what is the likely source of items like "Sponge. Lemon. Milk" (66)?
(a) An inventory.
(b) A column of cleaning advice.
(c) A dream.
(d) A grocery list.

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) Absurd, farcical humor.
(b) Shallow, disrespectful humor.
(c) Dark, bitter humor.
(d) Deadpan, ironic humor.

11. In "While It Lasts," what does George do for a living?
(a) He designs computer security systems.
(b) He is a tech consultant.
(c) He owns a software firm.
(d) He is a hacker.

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

13. According to "Why I Don't Write," what is the problem with making donations?
(a) The tax write-off is not high enough.
(b) People do not appreciate them enough.
(c) You'll be asked for more.
(d) They do not go to the purpose you intended.

14. In "Why I Don't Write," what does the narrator have a dream about?
(a) Diamonds.
(b) Lobsters.
(c) Sledding.
(d) Baseball.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. At what time of year does "Boston Common at Twilight" take place?

4. In "While It Lasts," what has Bonnie found a "newfound satisfaction" in (81)?

5. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what is the rhetorical purpose of mentioning the rip in Ned's parka?

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