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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 figure sits on the mantel in the Bains' living room?
(a) A curly-headed peasant boy dangling his leg over the edge of the shelf.
(b) A trio of mermaids.
(c) A wrought-iron crucifix.
(d) A carved elephant that seems to be pushing up against a tree.

2. In the poem "Verse for a Certain Dog," what is the difference between the lines inside the parentheses and those not in parentheses?
(a) The lines outside are spoken to the reader and those inside are to the dog.
(b) The lines outside are spoken to the dog and those inside are to the reader.
(c) The lines outside are about the dog as an adult and those inside are about the puppy.
(d) The lines outside praise the dog and those inside scold the dog.

3. How does Mr. Durant react to Rose's announcement that she will not return and does not want to see him again?
(a) He pleads with her to come back.
(b) He is amused and happy that he will not have to deal with her.
(c) He says he will miss her, but admits that it is the best decision.
(d) He is disappointed but understanding.

4. In the poem "False Friends," during what month does the narrator's heart heal?
(a) April.
(b) May.
(c) June.
(d) August.

5. How does Mrs. Bain react to the news of her father's death?
(a) She dries her eyes and asks to see him.
(b) She immediately begins to weep passionately.
(c) She sighs and lays her head on her husband's chest.
(d) She stands up and announces that it really was the best thing.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "The New Love," how does the narrator regard her new lover?

2. What is the girl examining at the beginning of the story "The Sexes"?

3. Where is the newlywed couple going for their honeymoon?

4. How old is Mr. Durant?

5. According to the poem "Fighting Words," what would cause the narrator to desert her lover?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare the poems "Social Note" and "For An Unknown Lady."

2. Why does the young bride in the short story "Here We Are" worry about the fact that so many people get married every day?

3. How are the poems "Somebody's Song," "Unfortunate Coincidence," and "Comment" similar?

4. What do the poems "I Know I Have Been Happiest" and "I Shall Come Back" have in common?

5. In the short story, "The Wonderful Old Gentleman," what influence has the Old Gentleman had on the Bains' lives in the five years that he has lived with them?

6. In "The Standard of Living," why does Midge become so upset over Annabel's imaginary purchase of a silver fox coat, and what does her reaction suggest about her personality?

7. How does "A Telephone Call" reinforce Dorothy Parker's perspective regarding the relationship between men and women?

8. What message is sent by the poem "Now At Liberty"?

9. What does Mr. Durant's reaction to Rose's situation and her departure reveal about him?

10. In "The Standard of Living," how are Midge and Annabel affected by the news of the actual price of the necklace in the shop window?

(see the answer keys)

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