View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: "Afterward".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the story refers to "Boyne," who or what is being referred to?
(a) Mary.
(b) Ned's father.
(c) The house.
(d) Ned.

2. When they are all laughing about the idea of a ghost, what does it mean that Mary "noted a certain flatness of tone in Alida's answering hilarity" (83)?
(a) Alida is laughing along, but Mary suspects that for some reason Alida does not find the subject as funny as everyone else does.
(b) Mary has only just realized that Alida is using this discussion as an opportunity to make fun of Mary and Ned.
(c) Mary recognizes that Alida is probably jealous of their good fortune and is trying to hide it.
(d) Mary suspects that Alida feels embarrassed because she is lying about the ghost.

3. Who is the author of "Afterward"?
(a) O. Henry.
(b) Henry James.
(c) Edith Wharton.
(d) Shirley Jackson.

4. In the opening of the story, what is Mary waiting for?
(a) She is waiting for Ned to arrive.
(b) She is waiting for dinner to be announced.
(c) She is waiting for the mail to be brought in.
(d) She is waiting for the lamps to be brought in.

5. For how many years did Ned and Mary live in the American Midwest while Ned worked as an engineer?
(a) 4.
(b) 34.
(c) 24.
(d) 14.

Short Answer Questions

1. When the young man appears behind Mary, who does she at first assume that he is?

2. On page 95, Mary mentions the "fun of the frisson." What is a frisson?

3. When Mary searches Ned's desk, to whom does she find he has been writing?

4. What causes Mary to finally be certain that the ghost was Bob Elwell?

5. Why are Ned and Mary so interested in living in an isolated location?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 370 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample