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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through “Screengrabs,” “A Man with Strong Hands,” “A Character in a Wheelchair in a Vestibule.” .

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As Smith stares into the garden of peonies near two other women her age, Smiths comments of what “gaudy symbol,” the flowers represent, “in the middle of a barren concrete metropolis” (3)?
(a) Sadness.
(b) Holiness.
(c) Fertility.
(d) Opportunity.

2. Which type of person does Smith say was overjoyed with the new free time at the start of the pandemic?
(a) Children of artists.
(b) People living alone in city apartments.
(c) Artists with children.
(d) Artists without children.

3. Which president’s speech does Smith cite at the start of “The American Exception”?
(a) Barack Obama.
(b) Donald Trump.
(c) Bill Clinton.
(d) Joe Biden.

4. What is the name of Smith’s masseur in “A Man with Strong Hands”?
(a) Brendan.
(b) Ben.
(c) Jill.
(d) Sarah.

5. What does Smith say the link to long life in America is?
(a) Exercise.
(b) Good luck.
(c) Healthy eating habits.
(d) Money.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the homeless man Smith sees I at the ATM in “A Character in a Wheelchair in the Vestibule”?

2. What is different about the nail salon Smith describes in “A Man with Strong Hands” compared to others in her area?

3. Who does Smith say are patronized by people of all ages?

4. What does Smith say is the truest, most obvious reason why people write or make art?

5. What is the topic of conversation Smith overhears between two woman at a Subway shop in “Suffering Like Mel Gibson”?

(see the answer key)

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