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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. 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) Surprise and happiness.
(c) Weariness and suspicion.
(d) Fear and confusion.

2. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what temporarily makes Ned feel safer?
(a) The woman stops at a bodega for cigarettes.
(b) The woman tells him that she does not want to hurt him.
(c) The woman tells him that she will let him use her phone.
(d) The woman calls him "sugar."

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

4. In "Café Mort," what do the regular patrons talk about constantly?
(a) Funerals.
(b) Clichéd advice.
(c) Politics.
(d) Fairy tales.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what is Ned's reason for going to Boston Common?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. In "While It Lasts," how does the knapsack embody George's personality?

2. In "Why I Don't Write," what types of repetition are used in the page 69 paragraph "Cleaning out the closets. Cleaning out the drawers. Clearing out the basement," and what effect does the device create?

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

4. What question begins "Why I Don't Write," and how is this question related to the rest of the story?

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

6. 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"?

7. In the second paragraph of "Why I Don't Write," what is the implication of the list following the phrase "then it all stops" (65)?

8. 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?

9. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what television show does Ned secretly watch? Why does he enjoy it?

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

(see the answer keys)

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