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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. In what language was the first edition of The Book of Disquiet first published?
(a) Japanese.
(b) French.
(c) Portugese.
(d) English.

2. What kind of people make up the narrator's life?
(a) Poor.
(b) Rich.
(c) Eccentric.
(d) Common.

3. After pointing out a play that he describes as terribly flawed, how does the narrator say he would have felt to be the author of that play?
(a) Proud.
(b) Pitiful.
(c) Encouraged.
(d) Embarrassed.

4. What does the narrator say a person must do in order to truly love something?
(a) Own it.
(b) Fear it.
(c) Respect it.
(d) Know it.

5. What remained constant about the scales the girl played on her instrument when she lived above the narrator?
(a) The monotonous rhythm.
(b) The pitch.
(c) She played at the same time every day.
(d) She always got them wrong.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who, according to the narrator, is more seriously affected by tedium?

2. Who does the narrator call decorative creatures?

3. Why does the narrator say he chooses to think about all his unhappy memories?

4. What does the narrator say is the only true form of pleasure that exists?

5. According to a critic, what does the narrator need in order to become a charming person?

Short Essay Questions

1. What perception does the narrator believe readers will have of him after reading the book? Why is the anticipated perception not true, according to the narrator?

2. Why does the narrator say mirrors are a negative invention?

3. What does the narrator say about memories that never occurred?

4. According to the narrator, how does one become a man of action? What role do men of action play in society and why?

5. What does the narrator like about being sick?

6. What does a critic tell Soares about his physical appearance?

7. Why does the narrator dislike reading the newspaper?

8. What does the narrator say about intelligent and sensitive people? Since they can't be banned to an island, what should they do and why?

9. Discuss the office boy's travels and the narrator's view of them.

10. Why does the narrator isolate himself, and how does it affect his sensitivity to worldly things?

(see the answer keys)

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