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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What detail does the narrator relate as evidence of how much Ned and Mary have yearned for a life like the one they have in England?
(a) They had a map of England pinned over their kitchen table at their old house in America.
(b) They made an agreement with one another that they would do "anything" it took to make their dream come true.
(c) They had already pre-planned every detail of how they would spend their days.
(d) They were discussing a move to England even before they got married.

2. When does Mary first realize that Ned is missing?
(a) When the stranger reappears and asks for him again.
(b) When Trimmle comes in to ask her whether she has seen Ned.
(c) When she tries to find him to tell him that lunch is ready.
(d) When the boiler repairman asks to speak with him.

3. What is Ned's joking theory about why the ghost is so hard to see?
(a) It has too much competition from other "ghostly" things.
(b) It is shy.
(c) The house is deliberately keeping them from seeing its ghost.
(d) It will not see you without an appointment.

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

5. 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) Ned.
(d) The boiler repairman.

6. When Ned is still gone by the time Mary finishes lunch, where does she decide he must be?
(a) She decides that he must have walked the visitor back to the train station.
(b) She decides that he must have gone into town to run an errand.
(c) She decides that he must have gone for his afternoon walk a little early.
(d) She decides that he has finally left her.

7. Why does Mary believe that people should not talk about seeing ghosts?
(a) It frightens the ghosts away.
(b) It is bad manners.
(c) It makes people wonder about your sanity.
(d) It is dangerous.

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

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

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

11. Ned asks Alida a question about the ghost's "signalement" (84). What is he asking about?
(a) Its physical description.
(b) Its background.
(c) Its motivations.
(d) Its movements and habits.

12. 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 he misses having a regular job to go to.
(c) She thinks that he has seen the ghost.
(d) She thinks that his book is not going very well.

13. When section "III" opens, Mary is spending the morning working outdoors. She goes into the area where the "espaliered" pear trees are (89). What kind of pear trees are these?
(a) They are draped with nets to keep the birds away from the fruit.
(b) They are trained to grow flat against the wall.
(c) They are miniature pear trees.
(d) They are grafted with many different kinds of pears on each tree.

14. Why is Mary unsure what Ned has or has not already told her about Beb Elwell?
(a) Because ever since they moved into the house, her memory is getting weaker.
(b) Because she does not pay much attention when he talks about work.
(c) Because Ned has a habit of lying about what he has or has not told her.
(d) Because the Bob Elwell story is very similar to another incident in their past.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. On that evening in the library in section "II," what does Mary see has happened when she looks up from preparing the tea?

4. What does Mary suddenly remember finding one day in October?

5. When Mary tells Ned what she has learned from her mail, how does Ned react?

(see the answer keys)

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