The Magic Barrel / Bernard Malamud

Test Practice

Analyze Literary Elements

With your partner, discuss how to answer these questions about the selection.

1. Which of the following best describes the change in Leo’s motivation for seeking the help of Salzman?
a. First he wants to fall in love, but later he is simply desperate to get married.
b. First he is too focused on his work to want a wife; then, he seeks solace from loneliness.
c. First he seeks a wife to further his career; later, he has an emotional need to give and receive love.
d. First he wants to prove the matchmaker is a fraud; later, he seeks a wife.


What is the correct answer to the question above? How did the information you gathered during reading help you eliminate incorrect answers?

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