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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many other men are on the platform with the man?
(a) 7.
(b) 3.
(c) 4.
(d) 1.

2. When it is time for the execution, who moves away from the location first?
(a) The two privates.
(b) The sergeant.
(c) The colonel.
(d) The general.

3. What are the slack boards laid upon?
(a) Grass.
(b) Ravine.
(c) Dirt.
(d) Railway supports.

4. What color eyes does the condemned man have?
(a) Gray.
(b) Blue.
(c) Brown.
(d) Green.

5. The method of execution in the story is __________________.
(a) Military style.
(b) Unusual.
(c) New.
(d) Precise.

6. The soldiers treat death with military etiquette and _______________.
(a) Speeches.
(b) Singing.
(c) Silence.
(d) Eulogies.

7. The sergeant salutes the captain and ____________________.
(a) Rides away on his horse.
(b) Moves to stand behind him.
(c) Blows a bugle.
(d) Orders the men to shoot.

8. What are the man's movements?
(a) He is jumping up and down.
(b) He is doing acrobatics.
(c) He is fixed on one spot.
(d) He is exercising on the ground.

9. What is the man standing on?
(a) Slack boards.
(b) Ship's plank.
(c) Ground.
(d) Stirrups.

10. Which of the following does the condemned man NOT visualize in his mind?
(a) Swimming away.
(b) Ripping off the noose.
(c) Shooting the sergeant.
(d) Diving into the water.

11. The condemned man feels as if his ears _______________________.
(a) Are being punctured with a knife.
(b) Are plugged up.
(c) Are being ripped off.
(d) Are bleeding.

12. Where are the sentinels standing guard?
(a) In boats.
(b) In trees.
(c) The ends of the bridge.
(d) In nearby fields.

13. What do the privates do after moving away from the man?
(a) Wipe their brows.
(b) Stand in silence.
(c) Ride away.
(d) Pull away their planks.

14. What does the captain do after giving the signal to the sergeant?
(a) Rides away.
(b) Steps aside.
(c) Salutes the troops.
(d) Shoots his pistol.

15. How many sentinels stand guard over the men on the platform?
(a) 2.
(b) 6.
(c) 4.
(d) 3.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of sound distracts the condemned man's thoughts?

2. What literary technique does the author use when he says that death is a dignitary?

3. What is the man doing with his hands?

4. What does the condemned man NOT wear?

5. What does the man think of when he closes his eyes?

(see the answer keys)

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