View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Through what does Dennis have to pass in order to reach the reception area in the mortuary?
(a) Several florist rooms.
(b) Several rooms full of grieving persons.
(c) Several rooms of caskets.
(d) Nothing; the reception area is right when he walks inside the building.

2. Why is the person not pleased about Dennis' responsibilities?
(a) She wanted to spit on her deceased ex-husband.
(b) He thinks an older man should be responsible.
(c) The Happier Hunting Ground is very busy.
(d) She wanted to pick out Sir Francis' coffin.

3. Besides being fiction, how else is the story described in the paragraph that is set before Chapter 1?
(a) A cloudy view of reality.
(b) A look at the rotten core of life.
(c) A little nightmare.
(d) A slice of the good life.

4. Who is Ambrose Abercrombie?
(a) The bartender at the pub where the Englishmen are sitting.
(b) A magician.
(c) The proprietor of the pub where the Englishmen are sitting.
(d) Someone who will be arriving soon.

5. About what does Ambrose admonish Sir Francis?
(a) To watch his investments in the film industry.
(b) To stay in better communication.
(c) To be careful about speaking of Americans badly.
(d) To not expect too much from a woman he is expecting to meet.

6. What did Dennis find difficult to believe when he first worked in Hollywood studios?
(a) That there was no loyalty whatsoever.
(b) That the drama in real life was more melodramatic than in films.
(c) That the actors were so childish.
(d) That the sets were mere facades.

7. What is the name of the church where Sir Francis' funeral will be held?
(a) Church of the Crowned Glory.
(b) University Church.
(c) Nativity Church.
(d) St. Francis Episcopal.

8. Where is Dennis escorted when he calls on the funeral home the day before the service of Sir Francis?
(a) The financial office.
(b) The embalming room.
(c) Orchid Room.
(d) Iris Room.

9. Where does Dennis go from the church?
(a) Work.
(b) Lake Island.
(c) The studio.
(d) Home.

10. What are the principal settings for this novel?
(a) A coffee shop and a lawyer's office.
(b) Two funeral homes.
(c) The homes of the three main characters.
(d) A baseball stadium and Hollywood screen set.

11. Who is in Sir Francis' office when he arrives at the studio?
(a) No one.
(b) One of his bosses.
(c) A young man.
(d) A young woman.

12. When will the most important studio figures visit Sir Francis?
(a) The day of the service.
(b) They've been coming through all day.
(c) In the evening after work.
(d) Never.

13. What does Dennis learn about Sir Francis when trying to comply with Sir Ambrose's request?
(a) That Sir Francis' father also committed suicide.
(b) That Sir Francis has a third child who is illegitimate.
(c) That the pen is inscribed with a woman's name.
(d) That Sir Francis wrote a couple small books.

14. Why is Dennis happy at his job?
(a) There are wonderful people working with him.
(b) It involves variety.
(c) The hours are great.
(d) It pays very well.

15. What does Aimée think of Mr. Joyboy's work on Sir Francis?
(a) The smile is lopsided.
(b) As a tad too perfected.
(c) As wonderful.
(d) The eyelids are droopy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is poorly received by the studio heads?

2. What does Mr. Joyboy say puts a smile on his face?

3. What do the various zones on the grounds in the funeral home represent?

4. What is Dennis Barlow taking care of according to the Englishmen talking?

5. About what does Sir Ambrose give a speech?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 650 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample