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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. While she is thinking it over in the library, where does Mary finally decide the blame lies for Ned's distracted, anxious mood?
(a) With the house and its ghost.
(b) With herself.
(c) With Ned's business affairs.
(d) With Ned.

2. Why is the information about Bob Elwell's slow death so significant to Mary?
(a) She is devastated about how much suffering her husband caused.
(b) She realizes that Ned lied when he told her that everything was resolved.
(c) She realizes that the timing lines up with the sightings of the ghost.
(d) She cannot help being glad that the man who made her husband suffer also suffered.

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

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

5. When the story opens, in which room of her house is Mary waiting?
(a) The library.
(b) The dining room.
(c) The front parlor.
(d) Her bedroom.

6. When Mary searches Ned's desk, to whom does she find he has been writing?
(a) Alida Stair.
(b) Parvis.
(c) The Waukesha Sentinel.
(d) Bob Elwell.

7. When the story refers to "Boyne," who or what is being referred to?
(a) Mary.
(b) Ned.
(c) Ned's father.
(d) The house.

8. 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.

9. What did Mary and Ned discover about their roof?
(a) It appears to be a different color over the library.
(b) It has one more chimney than they have fireplaces inside.
(c) There is a recently replaced section.
(d) It has a hidden walkway.

10. When Mary discards her first two ideas about what is bothering Ned, she comes to a conclusion that upsets her. What is it?
(a) Ned is keeping a secret from her.
(b) Ned is angry at her.
(c) Ned is having an affair.
(d) Ned is probably ill.

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

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

13. What does Ned say, on page 83, must be true for him to believe a house is old?
(a) It must be "a registered home."
(b) It must be "thoroughly uncomfortable."
(c) It must be "bought out of an exhibition."
(d) It must be "practical."

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 him what secret he is keeping from her.
(c) She asks whether he has given up trying to see the ghost.
(d) She asks whether it was a good idea to move into this particular house.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Ned's joking theory about why the ghost is so hard to see?

2. On page 84, the reader learns about the "prodigious windfall" that Ned and Mary experienced. Where did this "prodigious windfall" come from?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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