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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. On page 107 of "Boston Common at Twilight," what causes Ned to sudden feel "that something uncertain was going to happen and he would be blamed for whatever it was"?
(a) When the woman gestures for him to follow her out of the park.
(b) When the woman leads him into the subway.
(c) When the woman shows Ned the knife.
(d) When the woman first speaks to him in the park.

2. In "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie think is Isabel's problem with finding love?
(a) She thinks that Isabel might not actually be attracted to men.
(b) She thinks that Isabel's drinking turns men off.
(c) She thinks that Isabel is not serious enough about life.
(d) She thinks that Isabel's standards are too high.

3. On page 71 of "Why I Don't Write," of which author does the narrator say, "Open any page...and have the top of your head taken off"?
(a) Dickenson.
(b) Beckett.
(c) Dylan.
(d) Rimbaud.

4. Throughout "Why I Don't Write," variations of what question are asked several times?
(a) "How many children do you have?"
(b) "Is this as unbelievable as I think it is?"
(c) "Can I just see that one more time?"
(d) "When will the magazines arrive?"

5. In "Why I Don't Write," what is a logical antecedent for "one" in the sentence "He got another one, prettier, younger" (72)?
(a) Colleague.
(b) Wife.
(c) Friend.
(d) Boss.

6. In "Boston Common at Twilight," how many times has Ned seen his father since his father broke the news about his separation from their mother?
(a) 0.
(b) 2.
(c) 1.
(d) 3.

7. At the end of "While It Lasts," what do Bonnie and George argue about?
(a) He refuses to tell her about his day at work.
(b) George always wanting to get home early.
(c) She is angry about his flirting with Isabel.
(d) Bonnie's anxiety about her job.

8. In "Why I Don't Write," what is the likely source of items like "Sponge. Lemon. Milk" (66)?
(a) A dream.
(b) An inventory.
(c) A column of cleaning advice.
(d) A grocery list.

9. On page 66 of "Why I Don't Write," what is the subject of the only article the narrator reads all the way through?
(a) A missing child.
(b) A traffic accident.
(c) A suicide.
(d) A bombing.

10. In "Café Mort," what is the name of the woman in the white nightgown who claims that she is still alive?
(a) Francine.
(b) Roxanne.
(c) Jules.
(d) Anita.

11. On page 73 of "Why I Don't Write," the list of what "Bob Dylan says," ("He's all right" and "He's not all right") is an example of which technique?
(a) Ambiguity.
(b) Paradox.
(c) Tautology.
(d) Oxymoron.

12. At what time of year does "Boston Common at Twilight" take place?
(a) Thanksgiving.
(b) Halloween.
(c) Easter.
(d) Christmas.

13. In "Why I Don't Write," what claim is made about the impact of having children on female writers?
(a) It focuses their writing too narrowly.
(b) It deepens the emotion of their work.
(c) It is an obstacle to their success.
(d) It makes them more creative.

14. In "While It Lasts," what does Isabel ask Bonnie about George's job?
(a) Whether he is interested in a promotion.
(b) Whether Bonnie is comfortable with what he does for a living.
(c) Whether Bonnie knows exactly what it is.
(d) Whether he has started spending more time at work.

15. In "While It Lasts," who is hosting the dinner party?
(a) Bonnie.
(b) George.
(c) Isabel.
(d) Richard.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Café Mort," how does the narrator unwind after a shift at work?

2. On page 75 of "Why I Don't Write," the exclamation point in "Passing a man who holds your gaze!" is likely meant to convey what emotions?

3. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what sport is Ned involved in?

4. In "Café Mort," what occupies the attention of the "beige woman"?

5. In "Café Mort," which waitress has been at the café the longest?

(see the answer keys)

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