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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When did Orlean and her husband move to Los Angeles?

2. What type of vehicle did Harry drive as a chauffeur for a neighbor?

3. How many of Harry's siblings graduated from high school?

4. In Chapter 6, how many buildings was the city librarian responsible for?

5. Where did Arin Kasparian work before working at the library?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Orlean decide to burn a book, and why was it difficult for her?

2. What did Harry Peak's parents do for a lviing, and what type of family did they have?

3. Who was C.J. Moon?

4. Why was Mary Jones removed as city librarian?

5. What were the first two libraries like in Los Angeles?

6. When did the fire department first get information about Harry Peak from the tip line?

7. How did the fire department begin investigating after the fire was extinguished?

8. What had to be done with the books that were wet?

9. What was and was not covered by insurance for the Central Library after the fire?

10. Why was it probable that there would be a fire at the library?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why were librarians who worked at the library at the time of the fire traumatized? What were the working conditions like after the fire? How did those conditions cause stress?

Essay Topic 2

Orlean considered the topic of shared memory. What were Orlean’s thoughts about shared memory? What did that have to do with identity and culture and libraries? How were libraries able to preserve a culture’s collective memory?

Essay Topic 3

Harry asked lawyer Robert Sheahen to defend him on the arson charges. Why did Harry ask Sheahen to defend him? Why was Sheahen motivated to defend Harry?

(see the answer keys)

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