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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From what period is Ned and Mary's new home?
(a) Tudor.
(b) Georgian.
(c) Regency.
(d) Edwardian.

2. What have Mary's new neighbors told her about the ghost?
(a) Nothing.
(b) That it is often absent for long stretches of time.
(c) That she will not know when she sees it.
(d) That it can only be seen at night.

3. What event causes Mary to temporarily forget about the mysterious man they saw in October?
(a) The greenhouse boiler breaks.
(b) She receives a letter from Alida Stair.
(c) She and Ned climb Meldon Steep.
(d) One of the housemaids quits.

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

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

6. 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 neither one has any common sense.
(d) Because they tell Alida a far-fetched story about their previous home.

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

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

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

10. When Mary, startled by the envelope's contents, cries out and rises to her feet, how does Ned react?
(a) He laughs loudly and tells her to stop being dramatic.
(b) He looks cornered and guilty.
(c) He rushes to her side to comfort her.
(d) He quietly tells her to sit back down.

11. When Mary finally catches up with Ned on that October day, what is he doing?
(a) Looking through his papers in the library.
(b) Searching the lower floor for the intruder.
(c) Staring out the front door.
(d) Pacing in front of the library fireplace.

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

13. What does Mary find in the envelope addressed to her?
(a) A letter from Parvis.
(b) A photograph.
(c) An anonymous note.
(d) A newspaper clipping.

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

15. On page 84, the narrator links isolated environments to "acuities of emotion." What are "acuities of emotion"?
(a) Bluntness or dulling of emotion.
(b) Quickly changing emotions.
(c) Exaggerated emotion that is difficult to control.
(d) The ability to perceive emotion with sharp accuracy.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Why is the information about Bob Elwell's slow death so significant to Mary?

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

4. 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?

5. Why is Mary unsure what Ned has or has not already told her about Beb Elwell?

(see the answer keys)

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