View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When J.P. physically fights with his wife, what does she do?
(a) Goes to her parents' house.
(b) Fights back.
(c) Cries.
(d) Calls the police.

2. What phrase does J.P. use to describe his wife physical appearance when they met?
(a) "A knockout."
(b) "A looker."
(c) "All-right-looking."
(d) "Kind of pretty."

3. How many pieces of cake does J.P. eat?
(a) One, and saves one for later.
(b) One.
(c) None.
(d) Two.

4. What does the narrator do for a living?
(a) Salesclerk.
(b) Electrician.
(c) Construction worker.
(d) He does not say.

5. What name does the narrator's wife call him the last time they spoke?
(a) Lowlife.
(b) Freak.
(c) Sponge.
(d) Wet brain.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many children does the narrator have?

2. What do J.P. and the narrator use for an ashtray?

3. What term of endearment does the narrator use for his girlfriend?

4. Why does "the guy who travels" say he travels?

5. When does J.P. officially become a chimney sweep?

Short Essay Questions

1. Give an example of how the image of hills and valleys is used by the author.

2. What is J.P.'s wife a symbol of?

3. How does the story show the progression of alcoholism?

4. What is the significance of the way Roxy is dressed on New Year's Day?

5. Why does the narrator not tell J.P. that he woke up on New Year's Day wanting a drink?

6. Is the story sympathetic or not sympathetic to alcoholics, and why?

7. Give an example of a character in the story thinking fatalistically.

8. Why is the narrator's girlfriend's son "mouthy"?

9. Give one example of a character in the story being self-deprecating.

10. How does the narrator feel about his girlfriend?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 999 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample