View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. After Mary thinks more about the house and its ghost, what does she begin to wonder?
(a) Whether Ned has seen the ghost and this is the cause of his strange mood.
(b) Whether it is possible that Alida lied to them about the ghost.
(c) Whether her household servants have ever seen the ghost.
(d) Whether she might actually already know the identity of the ghost.

3. What does Ned's motive seem to be when he first brings up the subject of whether the house has a ghost?
(a) He is joking about how old the house is.
(b) He is looking for an excuse to back out of buying the house.
(c) He thinks that living in a "haunted" house will add to his reputation as a writer.
(d) He is trying to frighten Mary.

4. As Mary thinks back over the events of October, she sees a figure coming toward the house again. Who is it?
(a) The ghost.
(b) The letter carrier, delivering their mail.
(c) The boiler repairman.
(d) Ned.

5. In section "III," when Mary looks at the house from across the property, what does she feel about the house?
(a) That it is like a kindly older person that keeps secrets for the good of others.
(b) That is is like an evil creature squatting in the landcape.
(c) That it seems to be trying to communicate something urgent to her.
(d) That it seems to be laughing at her, somehow, almost mockingly.

Short Answer Questions

1. For how many years did Ned and Mary live in the American Midwest while Ned worked as an engineer?

2. What is the name of Mary and Ned's house?

3. When Mary and Ned see the man coming toward the hosue in October, what does Mary assume?

4. Why does the narrator say that Ned and Mary are "two romantic Americans" (83)?

5. When Mary, startled by the envelope's contents, cries out and rises to her feet, how does Ned react?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 446 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample