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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Vonnegut require of translators?
(a) They must be more gifted writers than he and speak at least two languages, including his.
(b) They must speak Italian, English, as well as another language.
(c) They must do as he says.
(d) They must ask him many questions about his work.

2. What features imperialism, the capture of other societies' lands, and treasure by arms?
(a) "The House of Mirth."
(b) "The Nation."
(c) "Hocus Pocus."
(d) "Le Petit Prince."

3. From what event can ordinary humans not learn how much pain and humiliation to endure before calling an end to everything?
(a) Sending the Tibetans into exhile.
(b) Romans throwing the Christians to the lions.
(c) Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
(d) Holocaust.

4. How do the MIT students react to Vonnegut's speech?
(a) They are convinced and accept his challenge.
(b) They applaud politely but do not take him seriously.
(c) They cheer enthusiastically.
(d) They are appalled by his speech.

5. Why does Vonnegut feel out of intellectual step with his new neighbors in Cape Cod?
(a) He is not as intelligent as others in Cape Cod.
(b) He is a non-Anglo-Saxon.
(c) He is an Anglo-Saxon.
(d) He is not as wealthy as other in Cape Cod.

6. What is a scheme of self-defense that only maligned and oppressed minorities should be allowed to use?
(a) Humor.
(b) Threats.
(c) Humiliation.
(d) Murder.

7. Vonnegut's 1990 article in the New York Times observes that American humorists/satirists grow to be what past a certain age?
(a) Grumpy.
(b) Sarcastic old men.
(c) Enthusiastic optimists.
(d) Intolerably unfunny pessimists.

8. Why are certain words in Rait's limerick replaced with the sound "dah" when recited on the BBC?
(a) The limerick is too long.
(b) This sound replaces dirty language.
(c) Rait made this adjustment to her limerick.
(d) It sounds funny.

9. For Vonnegut writing books is like what?
(a) Eating a peanut butter sandwich.
(b) Singing a song.
(c) Riding a bike.
(d) Any other job.

10. With what magazine does Vonnegut travel to Mozambique in 1990 to write an article?
(a) US News and World Report.
(b) National Geographic.
(c) Parade.
(d) The New Yorker.

11. How does Vonnegut's trip to Mozambique make him feel?
(a) Enthusiastic.
(b) Physically drained.
(c) Motivated.
(d) Emotionally empty.

12. How do jokes work?
(a) Jokes connect the listener to other listeners.
(b) By hooking and releasing the listener, causing the release of fight-or-flight chemicals through laughter.
(c) The comedian tells the audience something funny about society that seems outrageous but is true.
(d) Comedians and the audienceshare a funny moment.

13. Why does Rait believe she can say whatever she pleases in English?
(a) She believes that what she has to say is important.
(b) She likes speaking in English.
(c) She is very opinionated.
(d) She is a non-native speaker.

14. How many Americans are of German descent?
(a) One in three.
(b) One in four.
(c) One half.
(d) One in one hundred.

15. Where does Vonnegut meet his first wife?
(a) An automobile race.
(b) An art gallery.
(c) The symphony.
(d) Kindergarten.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what does Vonnegut compare Bush's presidential campaign?

2. Who is Vonnegut's favorite translator, with whom he falls in platonic love?

3. Vonnegut compares the young people he addresses to what character in Camelot?

4. What does Dr. Robert Redfield insist every society passes through?

5. What Joseph Conrad novel depicts whites as highly evolved and others as monkeys without tails?

(see the answer keys)

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