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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Desdemona hope that Tessie will marry?
(a) Milton Stephanides.
(b) Mike Antoniou.
(c) Gus Vasilakis.
(d) Dr. Philobosian.

2. What is unique about Calliope's fifth chromosome?
(a) It produces an enzyme that prevents her from producing a certain hormone.
(b) It impairs her brain development.
(c) It leads her to be a large baby.
(d) It's structure causes her to have a birth defect.

3. What does Calliope do when she she is baptized?
(a) She begins crying when sprinkled with holy water.
(b) She stops crying.
(c) She becomes unable to breathe when immersed in the baptismal font.
(d) She urinates on Father Mike.

4. What is the "maze" that Jimmy tells Lefty women should be "shut up in"?
(a) Prison.
(b) Pregnancy.
(c) House work.
(d) Marriage.

5. Who is Mrs. Watson?
(a) Sourmelina's lover.
(b) Milton and Tessie's neighbor.
(c) Lefty's mistress.
(d) A customer at the Zebra Room.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following actions is NOT part of Lefty and Desdemona's plan to convince themselves and others that they are young lovers rather than brother and sister?

2. What does the narrator say makes him/her "the most famous hermaphrodite in history"?

3. What does Desdemona promise St. Christopher she will do if Milton is spared injury in the war?

4. What is significant about Callie's and Clementine's soak in the Middlesex hot tub?

5. What does Desdemona do following Lefty's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare Milton's and Mike Antoniou's views on religion.

2. What does Desdemona do when she hears that Milton's Navy unit will be going to war?

3. Why do the Ford Sociological Department workers visit Lefty's home? What do they find that concerns them?

4. Describe Calliope's baptism.

5. Compare Lefty's original Zebra Room to Milton's version of the Zebra Room.

6. How does Desdemona react to the speeches that she hears through the heating grates while working in the Silk Room?

7. Why is Desdemona fearful about Tessie and Milton's burgeoning romantic relationship?

8. What goes through Tessie's mind as she watches movies at the theatre?

9. Describe Fard Muhammad's beliefs about the evolution of race.

10. How does the narrator characterize Lefty's gradual demise?

(see the answer keys)

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