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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 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) Ambiguity.
(c) Oxymoron.
(d) Paradox.

2. In "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie think is Isabel's problem with finding love?
(a) She thinks that Isabel's drinking turns men off.
(b) She thinks that Isabel might not actually be attracted to men.
(c) She thinks that Isabel is not serious enough about life.
(d) She thinks that Isabel's standards are too high.

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

4. In "While It Lasts," what has Bonnie found a "newfound satisfaction" in (81)?
(a) Being a part of a large family.
(b) Clearing her plans with George.
(c) Doing things George's way.
(d) Taking care of the details of George's life for him.

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) "Being in love is like being crazy."
(d) "Love is for the birds."

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In "Café Mort," who is the restaurant manager?

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

4. In "Why I Don't Write," what does the narrator say "used ot be more awful" (72)?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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"?

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

4. 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?

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

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

7. In "Café Mort," what evidence is there that the narrator is ready to leave her grief behind even before Anita speaks to her?

8. In "Café Mort," why does the narrator say that the stream of advice coming from the patrons is "either instructive or ironic, depending on your perspective" (93)?

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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