View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Edmund and Mrs. Whitman first meet, where does Mrs. Whitman tell Edmund to have Dupin meet her?
(a) At the tavern.
(b) At the cemetery behind her house.
(c) At the courthouse.
(d) At the docks.

2. At the beginning of the story, how long have the children been alone?
(a) Two days.
(b) Two hours.
(c) Ten days.
(d) Two weeks.

3. When Edward goes to the saloon to buy supplies for himself and Dupin, according to the posted sign, who is offering a reward for the location of Mrs. G. Rachett?
(a) The police.
(b) Mr. Arnold.
(c) Mr. Poley.
(d) Mr. Rachett.

4. When he is at Mrs. Whitman's house to deliver Dupin's letter, what does Edmund hear Mrs. Powers say she thinks Mrs. Whitman should do?
(a) Get a divorce.
(b) Marry Mr. Arnold.
(c) Remain unmarried.
(d) Marry Mr. Poe.

5. What is Edmund's sister's real name?
(a) Margaret.
(b) Not revealed.
(c) Catherine.
(d) Sissy.

Short Answer Questions

1. The prologue is engaging because it sets up a crime in which _____.

2. What is on the scrap of paper Edmund finds in Mrs. Whitman's house?

3. How does Dupin determine that Edmund's sister must have gotten out of the room she shares with Edmund?

4. The book's prologue is particularly engaging for its target audience of _____.

5. At the clothier's shop, what does the large man do when he sees Edmund?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do you think the novel would be different if there were no prologue?

2. What do you think is Dupin's primary motivation for helping Edmund?

3. Why do you think the author sets up the prologue so that all of Edmund's female family members are missing?

4. What did Edgar Allan Poe do in his mystery stories that no one had done before, and how does this impact future mystery writers?

5. Do you think the story would be as effective if it were set in a different time period?

6. Do you think there is any significance to the author's choice of the name "Edmund"?

7. Based on the prologue, what do you think is the author's opinion of Poe as a writer?

8. When Edmund sees Dupin asleep, surrounded by empty liquor bottles, in Chapter Three, what conflict does it bring about it Edmund's thinking?

9. What is the significance of the absence of adults in the Prologue?

10. Do you think Edmund should have stopped to help the old man before returning home?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 975 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample