Who was drinking in the cafe at the start of the story?
1. The old man in the shadows.
2. The old man and a soldier.
3. The old man and a waiter.
4. The old man and his niece.
The cafe was well-lighted but the old man sat in the shadows outside under a tree. Why might he have done this?
1. The cafe was not supposed to be open so late.
2. He did not want his niece to find him.
3. It was hot and he wanted to sit in the shade.
4. He wanted to look out at the world without being seen.
A soldier and a girl walk by in the street. One waiter is worried that the military police will lock the soldier up. The other waiter says: "What does it matter if he gets what he’s after?" What does this most likely mean?
1. The soldier and the girl are looking for someone or something.
2. The soldier and the girl are married and on their way home.
3. The soldier is hoping to have sex with the girl.
4. The soldier is lost and the girl is helping him get back to the army base.
Why was one of the waiters worried that the old man might get drunk?
1. The cafe does not have a license to sell alcohol.
2. The old man tried to kill himself the last time he got drunk.
3. The old man loses his dignity whenever he drinks.
4. When the old man drinks, he sometimes forgets to pay the bill..
What physical problem does the old man have?
1. He can't hear very well.
2. He can't walk very well.
3. He can't see very well.
4. He can't think very well.
Why does the old man like to drink until late every night?
1. His is bored because his wife goes to bed early.
2. He has no regard for those who must work.
3. He feels that he has nothing or nobody to go home to.
4. Because he is rich and works hard during the day.
Which adjectives best describe the way the young waiter speaks to the old man in the story?
1. courteous and polite
2. condescending and rude
3. respectful but impatient
4. worried and confused
When the young waiter closes the cafe, he says to the old waiter that the old man should buy a bottle and drink at home. The old waiter answers: "It’s not the same." What does he mean by this?
1. It is better to drink among other people than alone at home.
2. Alcohol does not taste the same when you drink it at home.
3. It is two-thirty in the morning and all the places to buy a bottle are closed.
4. The old man's niece does not like him drinking at home.
Both the old man and the old waiter like to stay out until very late every night. The old waiter says to the young waiter: “And you? You have no fear of going home before your usual hour?” What does he most likely mean by this?
1. He is worried that the young waiter may also have trouble sleeping.
2. He is worried that the young waiter's wife may not be waiting for him in bed as expected.
3. He is being sarcastic. The young waiter has meaning in his life and is happy to go home early.
4. That it is dangerous to be walking alone on the streets at that time in the morning.
When the old waiter went home, he would usually lie in his bed until daylight. Why was this?
1. His doctor said he had insomnia.
2. He was afraid of the darkness.
3. He was afraid he might try to kill himself.
4. He was waiting for his wife to come home.