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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mary suddenly remember finding one day in October?
(a) A hidden staircase.
(b) A mysterious portrait.
(c) A book on the house's history.
(d) A letter addressed to a previous occupant of the house.

2. When Mary tells Ned what she has learned from her mail, how does Ned react?
(a) He looks guilty and immediately leaves the room.
(b) He snatches the mail from her and throws it into the fire.
(c) He relaxes and tells her it is nothing to worry about.
(d) He gets angry at her and asks whether she trusts him.

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

4. What does Mary learn from the contents of the envelope?
(a) Bob Elwell is dead.
(b) All of their money is gone.
(c) Her husband is being sued.
(d) Her husband is a criminal.

5. Why does Mary have a hard time seeing the details of the man's appearance on that day in October?
(a) Her eyesight is not very good.
(b) The man is deliberately keeping himself in the shadows.
(c) Ned quickly moves to block her view.
(d) The sun is behind the man.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ned say, on page 83, must be true for him to believe a house is old?

2. When Mary finally catches up with Ned on that October day, what is he doing?

3. What does Ned's motive seem to be when he first brings up the subject of whether the house has a ghost?

4. Which character opens the story on page 83 by saying "Oh, there is one, of course, but you'll never know it"?

5. In Mary's mind, what is the only possible source of information about what has happened to Ned?

(see the answer key)

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