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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) She sees a picture of Elwell.
(d) Her visitor recognizes him from her description.

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

3. 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 Mary remembers seeing the ghost in October.
(c) He asks if the mysterious stranger has come back to the house at any point.
(d) He asks if she knows how long "afterward" it is when people realize they have seen the ghost.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In section "II," what question does Mary repeatedly ask Ned that evening in the library?

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

3. In section "V," who comes to visit Mary?

4. When the young man appears behind Mary, who does she at first assume that he is?

5. In Mary's mind, what is the only possible source of information about what has happened to Ned?

Short Essay Questions

1. What news does Mary learn from a newspaper clipping that someone sends her in the mail, and why is she so upset by it?

2. How does the narrator describe the life that the Boynes had in America?

3. What strange conclusion does Mary come to about the relationship of the ghost to the house, Lyng?

4. What does Mary remember happening earlier in the day in October when she and Ned first climbed Meldon Steep?

5. What do the Boynes tell Alida Stair about why Lyng's drawbacks are not problems from their point of view?

6. What draws the Boynes to England?

7. What does Alida Stair tell the Boynes about Lyng?

8. In the narrative present at the beginning of the story, where is Mary and what is she doing?

9. What do Mary and Ned plan to do with their time at Lyng?

10. What is the name of Ned's book, and what is the thematic significance of this title?

(see the answer keys)

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