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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. What date does the narrator finally reveal as the one foretold to Simon by the fortune teller?
(a) December 20th.
(b) February 19th.
(c) March 5th.
(d) June 21st.

2. What is NOT one way in which Simon describes his father Saul?
(a) A man who skirts conflict.
(b) Timid.
(c) Courageous.
(d) Decorous.

3. The narrator states that the timing of Klara's Jaws of Life trick must be "perfect or" (104) it will be what?
(a) Chilling.
(b) Humiliating.
(c) Deadly.
(d) Disastrous.

4. What job does Gertie take after dropping out of college?
(a) Receptionist at a law firm.
(b) Typist at a medical office.
(c) Cook at a restaurant.
(d) Teller at a bank.

5. Even though Klara holds down two jobs as a receptionist and a restaurant hostess, she spends her weekends engaged in what activity?
(a) Painting.
(b) Scripting her magic show.
(c) Volunteering at the hospital.
(d) Working on her novel.

Short Answer Questions

1. When a policeman asks Simon to come to the San Francisco police station, what does he tell Simon is the purpose of his visit?

2. In what year does the novel's prologue begin?

3. When Klara researches her grandmother Klara Kline, what is NOT one of the things she finds out?

4. To whom does adult Daniel bear a resemblance, according to Klara?

5. Simon remembers that he had drawn which same-suit cards from the deck during his encounter with the fortune teller?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the symbolism of the sequins that turn up everywhere inside Klara's home?

2. What aspects of Robert's character are depicted as those that make him "stand out" (59) to Simon?

3. How is repetition employed within the opening passage of Part Two:Proteus and to what effect?

4. How is the theme of guilt depicted within Gertie's feelings about her son after his death?

5. How many years pass between the first knock Klara believes Simon is using to communicate with her from the afterlife and the second knock she hears?

6. What is the author's purpose for using the allusion to The Statue of Liberty when depicting the children's grandfather Lev?

7. What is Robert's reaction to the AIDS epidemic and how does it differ from Simon's?

8. How does the novel's setting within the prologue affect the events of the narrative?

9. When the narrator reveals that Raj has "big plans" (113) for overhauling Klara's act, what kind of changes does the narrator depict?

10. Describe the significance of Simon's dream about salmon and how it relates to his mindset at the time of his dream.

(see the answer keys)

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