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

2. In "While It Lasts," what comparison does Bonnie make between George and Mr. Buffy?
(a) George is more direct than Mr. Buffy.
(b) Mr. Buffy seems more real than George.
(c) George is funnier than Mr. Buffy.
(d) Mr. Buffy seems wise compared to George.

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

4. At the beginning of "While It Lasts," what object is George looking for?
(a) His laptop.
(b) His coat.
(c) His car keys.
(d) His backpack.

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 seems to know the woman who is abducting Ned.
(b) The man turns away and refuses to make eye contact.
(c) The man looks right through him like he is not there.
(d) The man laughs at him.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. In "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie think is Isabel's problem with finding love?

3. In "While It Lasts," George is said to be "an expert at being flippant" (82). What does this mean George is good at?

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

5. In "Boston Common at Twilight," who is Matt?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In "Boston Common at Twilight," why does Ned end up taking an earlier train than usual, and how does this matter to the story's plot?

3. In "Café Mort," why would some of the waitresses be "proud" of their jobs (89)?

4. In "Café Mort," what does the narrator mean when, on page 89, she says "It's always an endless night"?

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

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

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

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 "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?

(see the answer keys)

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