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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the narrator feel he can do if he thinks of his time with his lover too much?
(a) Drive himself crazy.
(b) Make it seem meaningless.
(c) Relive it.
(d) Kill it.

2. What is the narrator staring at at the start of "Break it Down"?
(a) A piece of paper.
(b) A cup of coffee.
(c) His cell phone.
(d) A blank computer screen.

3. How often did the narrator and his lover make love during their time together?
(a) Every other day.
(b) Once a day.
(c) Once a week.
(d) Twice a day.

4. When the narrator describes watching his lover as she sleeps, what does he say that makes the reader know their time together is temporary?
(a) "She's next to me and isn't away from me like she will be later."
(b) "She is by my side for the time being."
(c) "She is here today and will be gone tomorrow."
(d) "Our time together is as fleeting as the night."

5. How would the narrator feel when he closed his eyes and began to dream?
(a) Depressed.
(b) Anxious.
(c) Frightened.
(d) Peaceful.

6. The narrator describes that after watching his lover sleep he finally falls asleep "lightly" (23). Why?
(a) He wants to wake as soon as she does.
(b) He wants to protect her from danger.
(c) He wants to hang on to the moment.
(d) He worries she might run out on him.

7. What were the narrator and his lover doing in the "very clean white place" (24) he recalls?
(a) Getting massages.
(b) Having breakfast.
(c) Making love.
(d) Drinking martinis.

8. What colors does the narrator use to describe his lover's hair when he recalls her looking up at him from the newspaper she was reading?
(a) Dark brown, auburn, white.
(b) Light brown, red, gold.
(c) Black, plum, dark brown.
(d) Golden, gray, red.

9. How much was the plane ticket the narrator bought?
(a) $150.
(b) $1,000.
(c) $600.
(d) $950.

10. The narrator describes that after the affair ends, his lover is still inside him like what?
(a) Sweet liquor.
(b) Warm soup.
(c) Dark chocolate.
(d) Decadent dessert.

11. What does the narrator think may happen if he kisses his lovers eyelids?
(a) She will wake up and kiss him.
(b) She will frown in her sleep.
(c) She will wake up and yell at him.
(d) She will punch him.

12. Why does the narrator decide against kissing his lover's eyelids as he watches her sleep?
(a) She has bad breath.
(b) She would get mad at him.
(c) He is too tired.
(d) He does not want to disturb her.

13. What question does the narrator recall his lover asking him while they were in bed one day?
(a) She asked if he thought she was dumb.
(b) She asked if he thought she should dye her hair.
(c) She asked if he thought she was pretty or no.
(d) She asked if he thought she was fat.

14. What does the narrator say he becomes afraid of as distance grows between the time spent with his lover and the present?
(a) That he may never see her again.
(b) That his wife may find out.
(c) How weak he is.
(d) Having to see her again.

15. What was the narrator unsure he would be able to do without his lover?
(a) Go on living.
(b) Go on more vacations.
(c) Save any money.
(d) Get a good job.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the narrator beginning to "lose" (24) in the present regarding his lover?

2. What color are the narrator's lover's eyes?

3. What else did the narrator see in his dreams beyond the dark frame of empty space?

4. How is the narrator's lover's behavior described at the start of the story?

5. What "old" (22) thing does the narrator say he cannot look at without still feeling what he feels his lover?

(see the answer keys)

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