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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 name does Phlox tell Art he can never call her?

2. To what state will Jane and her family be traveling tomorrow?

3. Who is the girl who works in the library?

4. Who does Arthur meet and leave the bar with?

5. Which of the following is NOT one of Art's concerns about the French literature Phlox will have to read?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Art working for the summer?

2. How does the author use foreshadowing when talking about Art's interest in Arthur's homosexuality?

3. Why are Cleveland's antics a source of possible problems for Art?

4. What is the first intimate interlude between Art and Arthur?

5. What does Phlox think her relationship with Art is and what does she do about it?

6. Who is Happy?

7. What does Cleveland do to get back at Jane's parents?

8. How does the topic of homosexuality first come up in the story?

9. Describe the environment at the bookstore.

10. How does Art meet Arthur?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the book. Why does Chabon use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Phlox. What are her physical characteristics? What motivates her? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Phlox?

Essay Topic 3

THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH is a classic story of the search for love. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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