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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 are Spike Cohen and Roland Abu Hadee?
(a) Founders of Isaac and Ishmael's.
(b) Buddy's partners in his quest to rebuild the temple.
(c) Doormen in Ellen Cherry's building.
(d) Movie producers.

2. What is Ellen Cherry's first job out of art school?
(a) Barista.
(b) Secretary.
(c) Museum curator.
(d) Waitress.

3. According to Ellen Cherry, why do artists make art?
(a) To hold a conversation with artists from all times.
(b) To create what you want to see in the world that doesn't exist yet.
(c) To express their inner selves.
(d) As a spontaneous reaction to lived experience.

4. Who destroys the temple?
(a) Nebuchadnezzar.
(b) David.
(c) Solomon.
(d) Jezebel.

5. What does Ellen Cherry resolve with regard to Turn Around Norman?
(a) To introduce herself to him.
(b) To stop watching him.
(c) To watch him every day.
(d) To alter the position from which she watches him.

Short Answer Questions

1. To whom do the airstream (that becomes the turkey) originally belong?

2. What name does Ellen Cherry Charles' father call her?

3. What is Boomer's compliment for Ellen Cherry's hair?

4. How does Spoon end up with Ellen Cherry?

5. Who offers to display Ellen Cherry's painting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Verlin, Patsy, and Buddy go to see a "miracle", which turns out to be nothing more than a shadow on a freezer. What does an incident like this seem to say about people's relationship to religion and mystery? Does it cast a reflection on Buddy's miracle?

2. Do you see any irony in Salome's determination only to do the Dance of the Seven Veils if she can have John the Baptist's head on a platter? Why or why not?

3. Describe why Boomer says he feels guilty about his success as an artist.

4. What do we learn about Ellen Cherry in the first few sections of the novel?

5. Describe Ellen Cherry and Boomer's relationship since he's become an well-known artist.

6. When Buddy goes to answer a knock at his door, he has an erection from reading about a Christian wife who goes to bed with her make-up on. What does this incident tell us about Buddy?

7. Why does Ellen Cherry give up her art?

8. What do you think Robbins is saying by personifying objects and having them secretly move?

9. Patsy suspects Buddy of seeking fame and fortune through his preaching. Does this seem likely to you, based on what you know so far about Buddy?

10. Why does Boomer turn an airstream into a Turkey?

(see the answer keys)

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