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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. Chinaski describes the food in Paris as being which of the following?
(a) Over spiced.
(b) Tasteless.
(c) Under spiced.
(d) Delicious.

2. Which poem is considered the strangest in the collection?
(a) "Hard Times."
(b) "Concrete."
(c) "Invasion."
(d) "Longshot."

3. What is one of Chinaski's friends named in "Song"?
(a) Jordan.
(b) Julio.
(c) Janice.
(d) James.

4. Why does Chinaski think that many women go to bed with him in "Working"?
(a) He doesn't know.
(b) He is smart.
(c) He is attractive.
(d) He is nice.

5. Where does Chinaski get out of his car in "Hard Times"?
(a) The diner.
(b) The docks.
(c) The grocery store.
(d) The bar.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The Shrinking Island," what does Chinaski give up on since he is drunk?

2. In "Song," what does Chinaski's friend sing a song about?

3. What happens to Chinaski in "Everybody Talks Too Much"?

4. In "The Boil," for whom does Chinaski work?

5. Chinaski mentions that the lottery funds _____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What common theme runs through the poems "Practice," "My Buddy," John Edgar Webb," and "Love Poem to a Stripper"?

2. What is the message of "Trying to Make It"?

3. In "Help Wanted," what does Chinaski fear?

4. How does Bukowski build a sense of foreboding in "Invasion"?

5. What metaphor is used in the poem "Seize the Day"?

6. How and why does Chinaski focus on domestic life in some of the poems?

7. How does Chinaski feel about the beautiful lady editor?

8. Why does Chinaski think he has so many female critics?

9. What does Chinaski say about lost pleasure?

10. Why is "An Ordinary Poem" significant in terms of defining Chinaski?

(see the answer keys)

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