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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What technique is evident in the page 143 sentence "It was drenched in a swathe of syrupy, sticky stuff turned dark plum against the denim"?
(a) Hyperbole.
(b) Simile.
(c) Alliteration.
(d) Synesthesia.

2. What sport did the "Diamonds" narrator excel in as a teenager?
(a) Cricket.
(b) Field hockey.
(c) Football.
(d) Rugby.

3. On their visit to Fannigan's house, what does Arm decide Fannigan's outfit is meant to do?
(a) Demonstrate his poverty.
(b) Emphasize his frailty.
(c) Impress women.
(d) Intimidate Arm.

4. On page 176, how does the "Diamonds" narrator describe the smell inside his car that makes him gag?
(a) "Desperate."
(b) "Holy."
(c) "Fetid."
(d) "Luminous."

5. What does Eli tell the barman when they are outside having a cigarette?
(a) That he used to be married to Maryanne.
(b) That he is trying to quit smoking.
(c) That he has a wife and child.
(d) That Doran is not a close friend of his.

6. How long has Doran been drinking in the bar by the time Eli shows up?
(a) 2 hours.
(b) 1 hour.
(c) 15 minutes.
(d) 4 hours.

7. What does Arm sit watching while he waits for Dympna?
(a) A video of Brandon's band playing.
(b) The Nephin Mountains in the distance.
(c) A dog in a neighbor's window.
(d) Two schoolgirls smoking and talking.

8. In Doran's opinion, what has kept him from going to the funeral?
(a) Empathy.
(b) Propriety.
(c) Apathy.
(d) Cowardice.

9. Doran's state after the band breakup is described as a "fugue." What does this mean he was experiencing?
(a) A reflective state brought on by trauma.
(b) A dissociative loss of personal identity.
(c) A temporary personality change.
(d) A suicidal depression.

10. What is the "Diamonds" narrator hiding with his long sleeves?
(a) Needle tracks.
(b) Scars.
(c) Bruises.
(d) Tattoos.

11. Why does Arm not run for the car when Paudi pulls out his rifle?
(a) It is out of gas.
(b) He thinks Paudi is joking.
(c) He does not have the keys.
(d) It is too far away.

12. What makes Eli realize that he has been overreacting to the idea of going to Maryanne's funeral?
(a) He shows Doran a recent photo of his child and Laura.
(b) Doran reminds him how many years ago they last saw Maryanne.
(c) He talks to the barman about the things the barman has been through.
(d) None of the mourners recognize him.

13. What technique is used when Paudi says that he will "have to take [the dog] for a walk up the heather" (135)?
(a) Euphemism.
(b) Synechdoche.
(c) Personification.
(d) Allegory.

14. On page 136, how does Dympna describe Arm?
(a) "A solid man."
(b) "A loyal skin."
(c) "A daft lad."
(d) "A harmless culchie."

15. What is the first clue that Arm has died?
(a) The shift in the narrator's focus from Arm to Maire.
(b) The old man in fishing gear reappearing.
(c) Maire's repeated urging about getting medical attention.
(d) The shift in tone from bright and cheerful to mournful and dark.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Paudi do with the stone that Arm sets on the table?

2. Which is the best description of the "Diamonds" narrator's attitude toward teaching his gym classes?

3. What is a reasonable inference from the description of Dympna's car in the opening of the story?

4. What is the antecedent of "it" in the story's ending, when the barman thinks "the man will come back for it" (210)?

5. Besides money, what does Arm take from the horse farm?

(see the answer keys)

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