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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: "Nathaniel Recalls the Miracle" through "Home.".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what does Nathaniel compare the sight of Manhattan from Matsumoto's loft?
(a) A glass of champagne.
(b) A miniature city from his childhood train set.
(c) The circuit board of a computer.
(d) Van Gogh's Starry Night.

2. What is Nathaniel's job in the narrative present?
(a) He works in the New York subway's architecture department.
(b) He is a bartender at a bar near Matsumoto's loft.
(c) He works as a building manager for Matsumoto.
(d) He works on the floor of the New York Stock exchange.

3. What does Isaac do for a living?
(a) He is a rabbi.
(b) He owns a deli.
(c) He makes vacuum cleaners.
(d) He repairs cars.

4. What made tears come into Nathaniel's eyes the first time he saw Matsumoto's loft?
(a) The flat-screen television.
(b) The Jacuzzi in the bathroom.
(c) The art on the walls.
(d) The view from the terrace.

5. What does Nathaniel suggest that people might be desperate enough to burn in the wake of a global computer failure?
(a) Stacks of money.
(b) Their designer clothing and shoes.
(c) Their children's elementary school artwork.
(d) Their old issues of the New York Review.

Short Answer Questions

1. Besides their minimal rent, what task are Nathaniel and his roommates performing in exchange for a place to live?

2. What ridiculous detail does Nathaniel give in his description of the last months of 1999?

3. Why is Lyle sad all of the time?

4. Where did Nathaniel live before he moved to New York?

5. What does Lucien end up saying to his assistant on page 8 when he wants to give her a piece of advice?

(see the answer key)

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