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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. On page 29, the mountains are said to be "lording it over the surrounding country." This is an example of which literary technique?
(a) Synechdoche.
(b) Hyperbole.
(c) Onomatopoeia.
(d) Personification.

2. On page 30, the reader is told that Rip has an "insuperable aversion to all kinds of profitable labour." What does this mean is true about him?
(a) He is physically unable to do heavy labor.
(b) He hates working hard for his own material comfort and financial security.
(c) He is simply lazy.
(d) He is eager to work at anything that will help himself, but he does not like to help others.

3. On page 29, the narrator says that a person might have "descried" the smoke from the village. What does this mean a person might have done?
(a) Explained its details.
(b) Seen it.
(c) Been puzzled by it.
(d) Complained about it.

4. Who is the frame narrator of "Rip Van Winkle"?
(a) Washington Irving.
(b) Geoffrey Crayon.
(c) James Fenimore Cooper.
(d) Diedrich Knickerbocker.

5. When on page 31, the narrator says of Rip that he will "eat white bread or brown," how is Rip being characterized?
(a) He overeats.
(b) He is easy to please.
(c) He only likes two kinds of bread.
(d) He is unaware of what he is eating.

6. From the description of Rip's attitude to his farm, on page 30, what can be deduced about Rip?
(a) His attitude toward his own family is similar to his attitude toward the villagers.
(b) His farm is envied by many of his neighbors.
(c) He is devoted to his home and family.
(d) He likes to make excuses instead of taking care of his responsibilities.

7. On page 29, the setting sun causes something to light up and glow "like a crown of glory." This is an example of what literary technique?
(a) Understatement.
(b) Alliteration.
(c) Metaphor.
(d) Simile.

8. In the frame narrative, the reader is told that the main story's narrator gets his information from the wives of the "burghers" (28). Whose wives are these?
(a) The wives of country farmers.
(b) The wives of prominent Dutch colonists.
(c) The wives of political officials.
(d) The wives of local indigenous leaders.

9. What kind of relationship does Rip have with the village children?
(a) The children are frightened of Rip because he is always yelling at his son and daughter.
(b) He is a favorite of theirs because he plays with them and tells stories.
(c) The children are frightened of Rip because of his habit of talking to himself.
(d) He is a favorite of theirs because he steals apples from a nearby orchard for them.

10. Which nation controls New York at the time when Rip and the village are introduced to the reader?
(a) Sweden.
(b) Great Britain.
(c) The United States.
(d) Holland.

11. Who is Derrick Van Brummel?
(a) The owner of the village inn.
(b) The schoolmaster.
(c) The mayor.
(d) The owner of a local hotel.

12. How might Rip's house be described?
(a) Run-down.
(b) Filthy.
(c) Expensive.
(d) Inviting.

13. Under what pseudonym was "Rip Van Winkle" published?
(a) James Fenimore Cooper.
(b) Geoffrey Crayon.
(c) Diedrich Knickerbocker.
(d) Washington Irving.

14. After he can no longer spend time with his friends, where does Rip start going to spend time away from his home and farm?
(a) The river.
(b) The barn.
(c) The woods.
(d) The seashore.

15. Who is Peter Stuyvesant?
(a) The owner of the village inn.
(b) A former governor of New York.
(c) The village schoolmaster.
(d) Rip's neighbor.

Short Answer Questions

1. On page 28, the reader is told that the narrator of the main story is known for "scrupulous" accuracy. What kind of accuracy is this?

2. What is Rip's son's name?

3. Where is the village that Rip lives in?

4. On page 30, the reader learns that Rip is "obsequious" and his wife is a "termagant." What can accurately be said about their relationship?

5. Why does Rip stop spending time with his friends?

(see the answer keys)

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