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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: The Center of the Story.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does the hurricane do to the city in the woman's story?
(a) Drops large hail that smashes windows in buildings and in cars.
(b) Produces winds that uproot trees and tear off several roofs.
(c) Passes by without actually striking the city.
(d) Causes flooding that disrupts transportation.

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

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

5. What does the narrator say "usually promises to be interesting" (19)?
(a) A flood.
(b) A hurricane.
(c) A religious crisis.
(d) A death.

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. What detail in the description of the man indicates how ill he feels?

3. On her train ride, what does the woman realize she has not given much thought to?

4. What does the woman think might be preventing her from committing to a center for her story?

5. The man tells the woman that he has committed "blasphemy" (20). What has he done?

(see the answer key)

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