View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Ellen Cherry notice about her apartment after the detective is there?
(a) Her drawers are all emptied.
(b) Her phone cords are cut.
(c) She can't find Spoon.
(d) Her window is shut.

2. Why do the objects need human help to leave New York?
(a) They need a guide.
(b) It is prophesied that they receive human help.
(c) The door to the basement is locked.
(d) Conch Shell moves extremely slowly.

3. Who does Painted Stick strike?
(a) Buddy.
(b) Spike.
(c) Turn Around Norman.
(d) Ellen Cherry.

4. Who returns Spoon to Ellen Cherry?
(a) Boomer.
(b) Abu Hadee.
(c) Patsy.
(d) Buddy.

5. Who comes to visit Ellen Cherry for Christmas?
(a) Ultima.
(b) Turn Around Norman.
(c) Patsy and Verlin.
(d) Boomer.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does the detective deposit Spoon after leaving the I & I?

2. Why does Buddy say he's glad Boomer is in Jerusalem?

3. What is Boomer's final gift to Ellen Cherry?

4. What surprises Spoon about Painted Stick's reception of her after she rejoins the other objects?

5. When we first see Painted Stick moving quickly, where is he going?

Short Essay Questions

1. Robbins says that Conch Shell plays a major role in encouraging Painted Stick to venture out and find the ocean, but all she does is look out the window. In what way do you think she provides encouragement to Painted Stick?

2. Throughout the novel so far, Ellen Cherry seems to be cosmically bound to the group of objects. As they try to escape, Buddy catches two of them. Which objects does he catch and is Buddy also cosmically connected to the objects? Why?

3. Describe what happens to Ellen Cherry when she plays the eye game looking at Spoon.

4. Explain the Vice President's concern regarding Buddy's plan to blow up the Dome of the Rock.

5. Why do you think that Robbins ends the novel with Spoon?

6. Explain the final revelation evoked by The Dance of the Seven Veils.

7. Ellen Cherry is clearly upset by the disappearance of Spoon. Explain how you think she feels.

8. Is there symbolic significance in the event when Ellen Cherry, having determined to paint again, goes looking for Turn Around Norman and finds Buddy instead?

9. What is Uncle Buddy's reasoning for attempting to blow up the Dome of the Rock?

10. Without art and without Boomer, Ellen Cherry is beginning to feel that life is meaningless. What do you think Robbins is saying about the relationship between the meaning we give our lives and our endeavors and/or relationships?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,617 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample