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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How often does the narrator figure he thinks of his lover about six weeks after their affair?

2. How does the narrator describe the way his lover responded when he told her he loved her?

3. The narrator questions at the end, "How can you go in with...$1000, and...come out with" (30) what?

4. What was significant about the night the narrator told his lover that he loved her?

5. What does the narrator say is all that is left of the relationship after the pictures and questions go away?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is the pain from the affair worse than the pleasure?

2. How does the narrator say he was beginning to feel when he was getting ready to say goodbye?

3. What was the second bad time the narrator says he and his lover had?

4. What does the narrator do to try to numb the "large heavy pain" (26) he is left with once the pictures fade?

5. What did the narrator's lover give him before he left? Describe it.

6. The narrator says sometimes he feels like a prince or a king. What contrasting emotion does he feel?

7. What types of things does the narrator say bring back to the memory of his lover just as he thinks he is over the pain?

8. What does the narrator see as he walks away from his lover at the end of their trip?

9. After adding up the time spent thinking of his lover after the affair has ended, how much does the narrator calculate he has spent?

10. The narrator says he would do it again. Why? Was the pleasure greater than the pain?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing narrative voice in Davis of "Break it Down." Include thoughts on how the narrative voice of the story is effective in conveying the story’s themes.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Davis's language style and word choice in "Break it Down." What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the narrator breaking down the financial cost of his recent affair? To what conclusion, if any, do his calculations lead?

(see the answer keys)

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