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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Ned's motive seem to be when he first brings up the subject of whether the house has a ghost?
(a) He is looking for an excuse to back out of buying the house.
(b) He is trying to frighten Mary.
(c) He is joking about how old the house is.
(d) He thinks that living in a "haunted" house will add to his reputation as a writer.

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

3. 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 Ned.
(b) With herself.
(c) With the house and its ghost.
(d) With Ned's business affairs.

4. When Mary is waiting in the library at the beginning of the story, where is Ned?
(a) Taking a walk.
(b) Finishing his lunch.
(c) Working in his office.
(d) In town on an errand.

5. Which character opens the story on page 83 by saying "Oh, there is one, of course, but you'll never know it"?
(a) Ned Boyne.
(b) Alida Stair.
(c) Trimmle.
(d) Mary Boyne.

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

7. 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.

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

9. 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 has seen the ghost.
(d) She thinks that he misses having a regular job to go to.

10. 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 want to avoid questions about their money.
(d) They are afraid of the crime associated with larger populations.

11. On that evening in the library in section "II," what does Mary see has happened when she looks up from preparing the tea?
(a) Ned is staring in horror out the library window.
(b) Trimmle has been standing in the doorway, eavesdropping.
(c) Somehow, all of the lamps have been blown out at once.
(d) Ned's face has changed and he looks completely himself again.

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

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

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

15. 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 Mary remembers seeing the ghost in October.
(b) He asks if she knows how long "afterward" it is when people realize they have seen the ghost.
(c) He asks if she ever wonders exactly how he made the money they used to buy the house.
(d) He asks if the mysterious stranger has come back to the house at any point.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. To what do Mary and Ned attribute the great beauty they see in England?

3. According to Alida, what is unusual about the ghost at Ned and Mary's new house?

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

5. In the opening of the story, what is Mary waiting for?

(see the answer keys)

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