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

2. According to Alida, what is unusual about the ghost at Ned and Mary's new house?
(a) It can take different forms depending on who is living in the house.
(b) No one knows they have seen it until quite a while after they actually see it.
(c) It can assume a physical form.
(d) It can come and go--it is not "bound" to the house itself.

3. On page 95, Mary mentions the "fun of the frisson." What is a frisson?
(a) A sensation of chills or prickling down one's back.
(b) The feeling of "butterflies" in one's stomach.
(c) A frightening story.
(d) A teasing remark.

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

5. When Mary and Ned see the man coming toward the hosue in October, what does Mary assume?
(a) It is one of their workmen.
(b) It is the ghost.
(c) It is a friend of Timmle's.
(d) It is their cousin Hugo.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. When the story refers to "Boyne," who or what is being referred to?

3. What aspect of the house does Alida mention that finally convinces Ned and Mary that it is as old as they are hoping?

4. Mary thinks about the "latent" significance of a piece of information on page 83. What kind of meaning does this information have?

5. After Mary thinks more about the house and its ghost, what does she begin to wonder?

Short Essay Questions

1. What horrifying chain of events does Mary understand once she sees Bob Elwell's picture?

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

3. How has Ned's mood changed on the morning after he and Mary first discussed the Blue Star lawsuit, and what does Mary believe changed his mood?

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

5. In the beginning of section "IV," how much time has elapsed since Ned's disappearance, and what has been happening in that time?

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

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

8. After she finds out that he has gone out with the mysterious man and not yet returned, why is Mary immediately alarmed?

9. Describe the emotional condition that Mary is in in section "IV" of the story.

10. What draws the Boynes to England?

(see the answer keys)

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