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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. What job does Howie speculate that he will not be able to stand?

2. The corporate bathroom is the one place a _____ can feel important.

3. What does Howie call his observation about the different speeds of the escalator handrail and steps?

4. What does Howie think would be a fun job?

5. What does Howie compare the stationary riders on the escalator to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Howie consider to be the quintessential question about lunch hours?

2. What are some of the odd personal habits of various philosophers that Howie describes?

3. What is one of Howie's favorite games to play on the escalator?

4. What does Howie notice about tunes whistled in the men's room?

5. Why does Howie consider CVS to be the diary of stores?

6. In what way does Howie consider life to be like footnotes?

7. What are the four thoughts that Howie has in quick succession at the end of Chapter 12?

8. Howie does Howie think his corporation flaunts their status?

9. What activity does Howie describe that both he and L take part in when alone in an elevator?

10. What are some of the differences Howie notices between corporate bathrooms and home bathrooms?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the literary impressionism used in the novel and the overall effect it creates.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the purpose of the character L. Why does she never actually physically appears in the narrative? How does she help create the roundness of Howie's character?

Essay Topic 3

What is the symbolic significance of both the shoelaces and how Howie resolves the mystery of the shoelace breakage?

(see the answer keys)

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