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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator says, "No one could rival Arthur Less for his ability to exit a room while" (37) performing what action?
(a) Remaining inside the room.
(b) Avoiding notice.
(c) Appearing to be coming right back.
(d) Leaving everyone in the room laughing.

2. The one step on Arthur's itinerary that qualifies as an act of self-indulgence is his sojourn across what country?
(a) Morocco.
(b) Greece.
(c) Italy.
(d) Mazatlan.

3. What language does Arthur mention to his literary escort that he had studied in high school, referring to his choice as a big mistake?
(a) German.
(b) Spanish.
(c) French.
(d) Latin.

4. Who painted the nude portrait of Arthur when he was a young man?
(a) Leonard Ross.
(b) Franklin Woodhouse.
(c) Chelsea Hovorka.
(d) Otto Handler.

5. On what day of the Mexican festival is Arthur scheduled to speak?
(a) Day Five.
(b) Day Two.
(c) Day One.
(d) Day Three.

6. What color is the flesh of the beaked parrot-fish Arthur sees in the Mexican market?
(a) Pink.
(b) Blue.
(c) Black.
(d) White.

7. The final jury that awards the prize for which Arthur is nominated is composed of 12 what?
(a) Professors.
(b) High school students.
(c) Poets.
(d) Audience members.

8. In what desert does Arthur Less plan to turn 50 years old?
(a) The Sierra.
(b) The Sahara.
(c) The Gobi.
(d) The Mojave.

9. Which country is the last one on Arthur Less's itinerary?
(a) China.
(b) France.
(c) Italy.
(d) Japan.

10. What reason does the festival organizer give for why he never attends the panels he puts together?
(a) He does not speak Spanish.
(b) He does not like poetry.
(c) He does not want to ruin his imagination.
(d) He is not interested in what authors have to say.

11. For how long has Arthur Less been in New York at the novel's opening?
(a) Three days.
(b) Fewer than twenty-four hours.
(c) One week.
(d) On month.

12. Though the narrator says that all Arthur Less has "managed to grow is a gentle sense of himself, akin to the transparent carapace of a soft-shelled crab" (6), what event is stated to still have the ability to hurt him?
(a) A mediocre review.
(b) Heartbreak.
(c) A careless slight.
(d) A rejection by a publisher.

13. At what age did Arthur Less start a romance with the poet Robert Brownburn?
(a) 36.
(b) 19.
(c) 39.
(d) 21.

14. On what holiday in 1987 did Arthur Less meet his one-time rival Carlos?
(a) New Year's Day.
(b) Memorial Day.
(c) Labor Day.
(d) Halloween.

15. Before Arthur's visit to Italy for the prize ceremony, how many times had he previously been to Italy?
(a) Thrice.
(b) Never.
(c) Once.
(d) Twice.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wins the prize at the award ceremony for which Arthur travels to Italy?

2. Biologically, how is Freddy related to Carlos?

3. In what city had Arthur Less spent his fortieth birthday, alone and lonely?

4. What does the festival organizer name as the reason he throws the festival in Mexico?

5. For how long was Arthur romantically involved with the professor, Howard?

(see the answer keys)

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