View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator declares that reception areas are better than cafes for what reason?
(a) Because they contain more human drama.
(b) Because they are quieter.
(c) Because they are carpeted.
(d) Because they require no purchase.

2. The narrator describes the nocturnal brain using an allusion to which mythological figure?
(a) Poseidon.
(b) Eros.
(c) Pandora.
(d) Penelope.

3. For what reason does the narrator lament the plights of people who speak a particular language?
(a) Because they share such a variety of accents.
(b) Because they have nothing secret of their own.
(c) Because they have no facility with ideas.
(d) Because they spit their words at one another.

4. Annushka begins taking what form of transport ceaselessly throughout each day?
(a) A train.
(b) A bus.
(c) A boat.
(d) A bicycle.

5. After Verheyen's recovery, he shows a remarkable talent for practicing what skill?
(a) Writing screenplays.
(b) Inventing solutions to problems.
(c) Sketching human anatomy.
(d) Seeing the future.

6. The narrator explains that the airport in which city is shaped like a computer chip?
(a) Chicago.
(b) Frankfurt.
(c) Tokyo.
(d) San Francisco.

7. The narrator states that the view from any point between that of the frog and the bird "just leads to" (178) what?
(a) Boredom.
(b) Chaos.
(c) Confusion.
(d) Regret.

8. The image of a hand on a postcard causes the narrator to fixate on what objects as she moves about the world?
(a) Fingernails.
(b) Fingers.
(c) Knuckles.
(d) Hairs.

9. What action does the narrator urge her readers to take in relation to their lives?
(a) She urges them to document their lives.
(b) She urges them to narrate their lives.
(c) She urges them to interrupt their lives.
(d) She urges them to dedicate their lives to God.

10. The vignette entitled "Another Cook" focuses on what other Cook besides James Cook?
(a) Edward.
(b) Thomas.
(c) Elijah.
(d) Joseph.

11. In Josefine Soliman's final letter to Francis I, she accuses him of what transgression?
(a) Welshing on a bet.
(b) Apologizing insincerely.
(c) Playing God.
(d) Lying.

12. The vignette entitled "30,000 Guilders" takes place in what century?
(a) The 15th.
(b) The 18th.
(c) The 17th.
(d) The 16th.

13. At what time does the flight from Irkutsk arrive in Moscow?
(a) 8 in the morning.
(b) 10 in the morning.
(c) 10 in the evening.
(d) 8 in the evening.

14. Who notices during their visits that Verheyen is becoming increasingly obsessed with his amputated body part?
(a) Van Horssen.
(b) Achilles.
(c) The narrator.
(d) Professor Ruysch.

15. The narrator says that the airport in which city is shaped like a spine?
(a) Los Angeles.
(b) Tokyo.
(c) San Francisco.
(d) Frankfurt.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator refers to the inevitable entrapment of people who have not mastered the art of taking what action?

2. In the vignette entitled "Purity of Blood," the narrator meets a woman who hails from what type of location?

3. The man sitting next to the narrator during the flight from Irkutsk to Moscow has what job?

4. The Day of the Dead is a festival that lasts for what length of time?

5. The narrator claims that what object reveals the natural state of the world?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 488 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample