Julio Cortazar: Short Stories Quizzes

Julio Cortazar: Short Stories Quiz on "Axolotl" and "Continuity of Parks"

By Sean Michaels · Edited by James Coop · Last reviewed October 19, 2020

1 Where does the narrator of "Axolotl" live?

In Buenos Aires, Argentina

In Tigre, Argentina

In Paris, France

In Avignon, France
2 Where does the narrator first encounter axolotls?

In the Jardin des Plantes

On a nature walk in Peru

On a Moteca trail in Mexico

On a bicycle ride in France
3 Which animals did the narrator usually visit at the zoo before discovering the axolotls?

Parrots and bullfrogs

Bears and giraffes

Lions and panthers

Tigers
4 Why does the narrator decide to check out the aquarium for the first time?

A friend tells him about the wonder of axolotls.

The lions are sad and the panther is sleeping.

It's winter and the lions and panthers are put away.

He does independent research on axolotls for work.
5 What is the Spanish name for axolotl?

lagartija

manzana

azules

ajolote
6 Which of the following facts does the narrator NOT find about axolotls at the library?

Their oil was used like cod-liver oil.

They are capable of living on dry land in Africa between rainy seasons.

They originated in Mexico.

Their skins are used for fine leather goods in Mexico.
7 Diaphanous means...

related to or in the manner of the Naiad nymph Daphne

resembling a dolphin in appearance or manner

light, delicate, and translucent

veiled
8 What feature of the axolotls occurs where one might expect ears?

"Three tiny sprigs red as coral"

"Orifices translucent gold like brooches"

"Three tiny sprigs blue as pure emerald"

"Horns curved like croissants"
9 The narrator of "Axolotl" compares the animals to...

Jade figurines

Dinosaurs

Marbel chess pieces

Gargoyles
10 How many axolotls are in the tank?

Ten

Thirteen

Nine

Eight
11 What part of the narrator is "buried" inside the body of an axolotl?

The part of him that contains his whole consciousness

The narrator's consciousness split, and the axolotl and his former human self are the same.

The part of him that loves to write stories

The part of him that was obsessed with axololts
12 What happens when the transition takes place in "Axolotl"?

The narrator sees himself outside of the tank and realizes, when his former self draws his face back, that he is an axolotl.

The narrator, now an axolotl, flails around the tank, disturbing the other axolotls.

The narration abruptly stops because the axolotl cannot communicate.

The man outside the tank collapses.
13 How does the narrator of "Axolotl" think the guard and the ticket-taker at the zoo view him?

He thinks they think he's a bit crazy.

He thinks they think he's their friend.

He thinks they respect his commitment.

He thinks they don't even notice him.
14 What is the narrator's concluding hope at the end of "Axolotl"?

That he will someday wake up in the body of a man.

That his former self will write a story about axolotls.

That someone will lean too hard against the glass and break it, and he will be able to escape.

That he might find a way to communicate with the other axolotls and develop a language between them.
15 To what does the narrator of "Axolotl" compare the axolotls' eyes?

Sea glass

Nickels

Diamonds

Brooches
16 What does the narrator of "Axolotl" suppose the one strange thing is about his transition?

That he feels the same, bodily

That he retains all of his previous memories

That afterwards, he goes on thinking as usual

That he has the sudden urge to call his mother
17 Before his transition, what does the narrator of "Axolotl" imagine the axolotls saying in their tank?

"Save us, save us"

"You don't understand, you don't understand"

"Stop staring at us you creep"

"We are unhappy in here"
18 When did the estate owner begin to read his novel in "Continuity of Parks"?

As a young man in school

While on an urgent business trip

A few days before the present action of the story

On his way back from his business trip
19 In what way is the estate owner relinquishing control of his estate?

He gives up his power of attorney.

He isn't; in fact, he's working toward consolidating his share of the estate.

He donates his estate to a educational fund.

He donates his library to the public library system of Buenos Aires.
20 What color and material is the estate owner's armchair?

Green leather

Green velvet

Black velvet

Red velvet
21 What interrupts the estate owner's reading of his novel?

An intrusion of the characters into his actual life

A humid summer day that forces him outside

Spilling his tea all over his armchair

Urgent business meetings
22 Cortázar compares the lovers' dialogue in "Continuity of Parks" to...

a parade of muskrats

the yellowish fog of dusk

an avenue of oaks

a rivulet of snakes
23 What is the "hero" holding when he enters the estate owner's study?

A knife

A baguette

A novel

A gun
24 What sits just in reach of the estate owner's hand as he sits and reads?

His sandwich

The next book he plans to read

His drink

His cigarette
25 What word best describes the estate owner?

Passive

Jubilant

Frightened

Determined

House Taken Over

From the text:

Irene never bothered anyone.

Asked by Jennifer G #1387110

Answered by jill d #170087 on 11/7/2025 11:40 AM

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“Blow Up”.

By loading the beginning of the story with such explicit musings on the art and craft of writing and the function of storytelling, Cortázar bares his themes for the reader to plainly see. Perspective is an important theme of "Blow-Up," as is...

Asked by Snahasish J #1331121

Answered by Aslan on 12/15/2023 4:40 AM

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House Taken Over

From the first few paragraph's, we can infer that the house is a great family home, passed down from one generation to the next. It is old, well constructed, and spacious.

Asked by tech c #1002712

Answered by jill d #170087 on 4/10/2020 9:03 PM

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Julio Cortazar: Short Stories

by Julio Cortazar

Julio Cortazar: Short Stories Quiz on "Axolotl" and "Continuity of Parks"

Julio Cortazar: Short Stories Questions and Answers

Study Guide for Julio Cortazar: Short Stories

Essays for Julio Cortazar: Short Stories

Lesson Plan for Julio Cortazar: Short Stories