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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. At the end of "While It Lasts," what do Bonnie and George argue about?
(a) Bonnie's anxiety about her job.
(b) He refuses to tell her about his day at work.
(c) George always wanting to get home early.
(d) She is angry about his flirting with Isabel.

2. In the context of "Café Mort," what does the word "mort" mean?
(a) A shortened form of "Mortimer."
(b) Death.
(c) The sound of a hunting horn.
(d) Grief.

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

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

5. On page 84 of "While It Lasts," what does Mr. Buffy tell Bonnie and George about love?
(a) "Love is a sucker's game."
(b) "Loving and liking are different things."
(c) "Love is for the birds."
(d) "Being in love is like being crazy."

Short Answer Questions

1. In "While It Lasts," whose owns the apartment where the party is held?

2. In "While It Lasts," why is Bonnie unable to hear the last thing that Mr. Buffy tries to tell her?

3. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what is Ned embarrassed about when he remembers coming to Boston Common with his mother seven years before?

4. In "Why I Don't Write," what claim is implied by the list of female authors Jane Austen, Flannery O'Connor, and the Brontes?

5. In "Café Mort," what is true of all of the employees?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what is implied by the last section of the story, that takes place as Ned grows into adulthood?

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 "Café Mort," what does her experience at the café teach the narrator about being "lucky" in life?

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

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

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

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

8. In "Café Mort," what does the narrator need to rid herself of before she can leave the café?

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

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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