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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. How are Sonny and the narrator related in "Sonny's Blues"?
(a) They are best friends.
(b) They are cousins.
(c) They are brothers.
(d) They are father and son.

2. During what type of weather does the girl remember feeding birds with her father in the story, "Verona"?
(a) In the sunshine.
(b) In the rain.
(c) In the sleet.
(d) In the snow.

3. What is the nationality of the authors in this collection?
(a) Mexican.
(b) American.
(c) French.
(d) Canadian.

4. What does Carlyle do for a living?
(a) He is a lawyer.
(b) He is a dentist.
(c) He is a teacher.
(d) He is a taxi driver.

5. At the opening of the story, how does Willi feel about his life?
(a) He is terrified by his life.
(b) He is confused in his life.
(c) He loves his life.
(d) He is bored by his life.

Short Answer Questions

1. What fears does Arty have about his emotions before meeting with his father at the mental hospital?

2. Which of the following alcoholic beverages is Sonny's drink of choice?

3. Which of Louise's relations is most strict about her food intake in the story, "The Fat Girl"?

4. What was Sarah doing at the time she disappeared?

5. How many people's lives did Willi help save thanks to his heroic efforts in WWII?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why has Earl taken to the road in "Rock Springs" and who does he take with him?

2. What arrangement is struck-up between the three destitute characters in the story "1/3, 1/3, 1/3"?

3. What is Sean's married life like?

4. How does Pendleton react to the newcomer in his restaurant in the story "The Fisherman From Chihuahua"?

5. What type of relationship does Carlyle form with Mrs. Webster in the story "Fever"?

6. What reaction does the narrator have when watching Sonny play his music in the story "Sonny's Blues"?

7. Why is Willi Varig hired to tell his story to an audience of people in the story, "Talk of Heroes"?

8. Why doesn't Push like John Williams, and what does he do about it?

9. How does Eileen react to the news of Carlyle's illness in the story "Fever"?

10. What is Carlyle's life like at the opening of the story "Fever"?

(see the answer keys)

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