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

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

3. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what has changed in Ned's thinking about his mother as he has gotten older?
(a) He now wishes that she would act more like a grown-up.
(b) He wonders more about what her life was like before he and his brother were born.
(c) He has more compassion for her erratic moods.
(d) He is not as convinced that she really loves his father.

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

5. In "While It Lasts," George is said to be "an expert at being flippant" (82). What does this mean George is good at?
(a) Shallow, disrespectful humor.
(b) Absurd, farcical humor.
(c) Deadpan, ironic humor.
(d) Dark, bitter humor.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "While It Lasts," what comparison does Bonnie make between George and Mr. Buffy?

2. In "While It Lasts," why is Bonnie unable to hear the last thing that Mr. Buffy tries to tell her?

3. In "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie think is Isabel's problem with finding love?

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

5. In the context of "Café Mort," what does the word "mort" mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what television show does Ned secretly watch? Why does he enjoy it?

2. In "Café Mort," what does her experience at the café teach the narrator about being "lucky" in life?

3. In "Why I Don't Write," what is the rhetorical purpose of the images of people looking at their phones?

4. At the end of "While It Lasts," what does Bonnie realize about her relationship?

5. In "Why I Don't Write," what is the page 69 phrase "The thumping far below the floor" an allusion to, and what is its thematic significance?

6. In "While It Lasts," what does Isabel want from Bonnie, and why?

7. In "Boston Common at Twilight," what alternative place to stay is available to Ned, and why does he prefer to stay with his aunt?

8. In "While It Lasts," why does Bonnie think that George is a particularly good match for her?

9. In "Café Mort," what does the narrator need to rid herself of before she can leave the café?

10. In "Café Mort," what does the narrator mean when, on page 89, she says "It's always an endless night"?

(see the answer keys)

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