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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What literary technique does the author use when he says that death is a dignitary?
(a) Personification.
(b) Simile.
(c) Metaphor.
(d) Allegory.

2. What is the source of the sound that the condemned man hears?
(a) His watch.
(b) Coins.
(c) A chain.
(d) The bridge.

3. What is the man doing with his hands?
(a) He is signalling for help.
(b) He is clapping.
(c) They are tied behind his back.
(d) He is waving to his friends.

4. Which of the following is NOT a step in the hanging?
(a) The man will fall.
(b) The plank will tilt.
(c) The sergeant will step off the plank.
(d) The sergeant will slap the horse.

5. Who is the author of AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE?
(a) Anthonio Bierce.
(b) Ambrose Pearson.
(c) Ambrose Pierce.
(d) Ambrose Bierce.

6. What is the date of the beginning of Part 1?
(a) April 7, 1813.
(b) It not known.
(c) September 15, 1954.
(d) June 25, 1864.

7. What holds the critical plank in place?
(a) A horse.
(b) An anchor.
(c) The sergeant.
(d) A rope.

8. The sergeant salutes the captain and ____________________.
(a) Rides away on his horse.
(b) Orders the men to shoot.
(c) Moves to stand behind him.
(d) Blows a bugle.

9. What is the man looking at?
(a) Trees.
(b) Water.
(c) Faces.
(d) Sky.

10. What does the condemned man focus on in the water below?
(a) Rocks.
(b) A piece of driftwood.
(c) Salmon swimming upstream.
(d) Sun sparkling on the surface.

11. What is the man wearing?
(a) Military uniform.
(b) Overalls.
(c) A frockcoat.
(d) Night shirt.

12. The condemned man thinks the loud sound is like _____________________.
(a) A blacksmith's hammer.
(b) A clanging bell.
(c) Thunder.
(d) Horses' hooves.

13. What signal does the captain give to the sergeant?
(a) He shakes his hand.
(b) He salutes.
(c) He nods.
(d) He winks.

14. How old is the man to be hanged?
(a) 35.
(b) 25.
(c) 18.
(d) 66.

15. Where is the man standing at the beginning of Part 1?
(a) A railroad bridge.
(b) An alley.
(c) A city street.
(d) A cave.

Short Answer Questions

1. The sentinels are as still as ________________.

2. Who stands with the spectators?

3. Where are the spectators located?

4. How many other men are on the platform with the man?

5. How can the condemned man's eyes be described?

(see the answer keys)

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