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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. How are Nathaniel and Lucien related?
(a) Nathaniel is Lucien's nephew by marriage.
(b) Nathaniel is Lucian's son-in-law.
(c) Nathaniel is Lucian's cousin's son.
(d) Nathaniel is Lucien's brother's son.

2. When Lucien is in the gallery imagining that he is with Charlie, what does he promise her?
(a) He will find another apartment for Nathaniel.
(b) He will find another woman to love and be happy again.
(c) He will put more energy into the gallery.
(d) He will try to think more kindly about Rose and Isaac.

3. To whom does Nathaniel imagine telling the story of the Y2K computer issue?
(a) His readers.
(b) His children.
(c) His grandchildren.
(d) A historian.

4. What does Lucien end up saying to his assistant on page 8 when he wants to give her a piece of advice?
(a) "Don't believe everything you hear."
(b) "Don't worry."
(c) "Don't feel sad."
(d) "Don't bother about the phones."

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character works for Itami Systems?

2. From the story's context, when must Charlie have died?

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

4. What do Rose and Isaac ask Lucien to do when he calls Nathaniel after Nathaniel arrives in New York?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the meaning of the title of the section of the story called "Innocence"?

2. What is the "View" that the third section of the story is titled for, and why is it special?

3. Explain the non-event that "Nathaniel Recalls the Miracle" is centered on.

4. Why did Nathaniel's friends come to live with him?

5. Describe Rose and Issac.

6. What phrase makes Lucien think about the frog and the boiling water, and why?

7. What is the "Reunion" referred to in the title of the sixth section of the story?

8. How does the "View" referred to in the third section of the story change in its significance for Nathaniel between his arrival in New York and the narrative present?

9. What qualities does Nathaniel have that worry his parents?

10. Where are Nathaniel and his friends, in the narrative present, and what are they doing?

(see the answer keys)

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