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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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 he is interested in a promotion.
(c) Whether Bonnie is comfortable with what he does for a living.
(d) Whether Bonnie knows exactly what it is.

3. In "Café Mort," how did Karen's little brother die?
(a) He fell out a window.
(b) He was hit by a school bus.
(c) He committed suicide.
(d) He overdosed.

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 argument he got into with his mother.
(b) His mother's drinking.
(c) The outfits he and his brother wore.
(d) How little he knew about Boston.

5. In "Why I Don't Write," what does the narrator say "used ot be more awful" (72)?
(a) Life.
(b) Despair.
(c) Death.
(d) Hope.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In the context of "Café Mort," what does the word "mort" mean?

3. On page 84 of "While It Lasts," what does Mr. Buffy tell Bonnie and George about love?

4. In "Café Mort," what do the regular patrons talk about constantly?

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?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the end of "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie realize about her relationship?

2. In "Boston Common at Twilight," why does Ned not try to get away or yell for help?

3. In "While It Lasts," what is Isabel's main complaint about Richard, and what does she think is the cause of the problem?

4. In "While It Lasts," why does Bonnie think that George is a particularly good match for her?

5. In "While It Lasts," what does Isabel want from Bonnie, and why?

6. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what clues does Minot offer that the woman in the park might be biologically male?

7. In "Why I Don't Write," what is the page 69 phrase "The thumping far below the floor" an allusion to, and what is its thematic significance?

8. In "While It Lasts," what subject does Isabel keep making bitter jokes about, and why does she do this?

9. In "Why I Don't Write," what is the rhetorical purpose of the images of people looking at their phones?

10. On page 73 of "Why I Don't Write," what is the effect of the single word change from "I don't read it anymore" to the later item "I don't read anymore"?

(see the answer keys)

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