1. After completing her first draft of the story, what does the woman realize about it?
(a) She is afraid that the content of the story will upset her friend.
(b) She cannot remember why she wanted to write it in the first place.
(c) She is losing touch with her passion as a writer.
(d) She understands more about herself and her life now that she has written it.

2. What does the woman suspect that the man believes about his blasphemy?
(a) It is the reason she is angry at him.
(b) It caused his illness.
(c) It caused the hurricane.
(d) It is no one's business but his own.

3. What does the sick man want when he calls the main character?
(a) He wants to apologize for the argument they recently had.
(b) He wants her to come over and help him.
(c) He wants her advice about whether to go to the hospital.
(d) He wants to talk about death and the afterlife.

4. For the majority of the story, what tone does the narrator adopt?
(a) Amused.
(b) Dismissive.
(c) Melancholic.
(d) Objective.

5. In the story's opening sentence, what is implied about the main character's writing?
(a) Her readers are gradually deserting her.
(b) She is losing interest in her career.
(c) More than one of her stories is uninteresting.
(d) She does not deserve the praise she has gotten.

Short Answer Questions

1. For what reason, besides that "there may not be enough to tell about him," does the woman think that the man might not be the right "center" for her story (20)?

2. How does the woman realize her study of religion has made her feel?

3. Why does the main character find that the story she is working on is not an easy one to write?

4. What does the landlady say the mayor gave her?

5. What denomination is the last church that the woman visits?

(see the answer key)

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