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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is Mary and Ned's house located?
(a) Kent.
(b) Devon.
(c) Shropshire.
(d) Dorsetshire.

2. What aspect of the house does Alida mention that finally convinces Ned and Mary that it is as old as they are hoping?
(a) It has no central heating system.
(b) It has no electrical system.
(c) It has a very unreliable water supply.
(d) It is in the official register of historic homes.

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

4. For the past week, what has Mary been assuming is the cause for Ned's need to be alone and his odd mood?
(a) She thinks that he regrets moving to England.
(b) She thinks that his book is not going very well.
(c) She thinks that he misses having a regular job to go to.
(d) She thinks that he has seen the ghost.

5. 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) Mary recognizes that Alida is probably jealous of their good fortune and is trying to hide it.
(b) Alida is laughing along, but Mary suspects that for some reason Alida does not find the subject as funny as everyone else does.
(c) Mary has only just realized that Alida is using this discussion as an opportunity to make fun of Mary and Ned.
(d) Mary suspects that Alida feels embarrassed because she is lying about the ghost.

6. In section "V," who comes to visit Mary?
(a) Hugo.
(b) Bob Elwell's widow.
(c) Alida.
(d) Parvis.

7. Why are Ned and Mary so interested in living in an isolated location?
(a) They are very introverted.
(b) They want peace and quiet to enjoy their new hobbies.
(c) They are afraid of the crime associated with larger populations.
(d) They want to avoid questions about their money.

8. Why does the narrator say that Ned and Mary are "two romantic Americans" (83)?
(a) Because they are not being practical about their search for a house.
(b) Because they are clearly deeply in love.
(c) Because they tell Alida a far-fetched story about their previous home.
(d) Because neither one has any common sense.

9. What does Mary conclude she needs to do in order to see the ghost?
(a) Get to know the house better.
(b) Stop actively looking for it.
(c) Find out whose ghost it is supposed to be.
(d) Make a habit of speaking out loud to the ghost.

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

11. What causes Mary to finally be certain that the ghost was Bob Elwell?
(a) She reads a letter that Elwell wrote.
(b) Her visitor sees the ghost and knows that it is Elwell.
(c) Her visitor recognizes him from her description.
(d) She sees a picture of Elwell.

12. When Ned begins to read the newspaper in the library in section "II," he tries to sound casual as he asks Mary a question. What is the question?
(a) He asks if she ever wonders exactly how he made the money they used to buy the house.
(b) He asks if the mysterious stranger has come back to the house at any point.
(c) He asks if she knows how long "afterward" it is when people realize they have seen the ghost.
(d) He asks if Mary remembers seeing the ghost in October.

13. When Mary tells Ned what she has learned from her mail, how does Ned react?
(a) He gets angry at her and asks whether she trusts him.
(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 looks guilty and immediately leaves the room.

14. In section "II," what question does Mary repeatedly ask Ned that evening in the library?
(a) She asks whether he is having an affair.
(b) She asks whether it was a good idea to move into this particular house.
(c) She asks whether he has given up trying to see the ghost.
(d) She asks him what secret he is keeping from her.

15. To what do Mary and Ned attribute the great beauty they see in England?
(a) Its history.
(b) Its small size.
(c) New places always seem attractive at first.
(d) Their own hatred for the American Midwest.

Short Answer Questions

1. What explanation does Ned give Mary at the time of the mysterious visit in October?

2. Why does Mary ask the mysterious young man whether he has an appointment with Ned?

3. What does Mary learn about the Blue Star Mine deal from her visitor in section "V"?

4. When Ned speeds off to talk with the mysterious visitor on that day in October, why does it take Mary so long to follow?

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

(see the answer keys)

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