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. What does Paul compare his secret to in the beginning of the story?
(a) A beautiful picture.
(b) A beautiful basket.
(c) A beautiful day.
(d) A beautiful trinket.

2. What has happened to the river as Paul crosses it on his way home?
(a) It has flooded.
(b) It has frozen.
(c) It has become dirty.
(d) It has dried up.

3. As Paul remembers, how many times does his mother ask him to pass the plate at the luncheon table?
(a) Three.
(b) One.
(c) Four.
(d) Two.

4. What kind of stamp does Paul's secret remind him of?
(a) Rare.
(b) Old.
(c) Worn.
(d) Large.

5. What is it becoming harder to do for Paul?
(a) Get out of bed.
(b) Face the sun.
(c) Go to sleep.
(d) Stay warm.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Paul notice about his window as he stands underneath it in Part 2?

2. What is Paul listening for the postman to do when his secret appears?

3. What does Paul wonder as he looks at his house?

4. What word does Paul use to depict the walk home in the beginning of Part 2?

5. Why is the birdhouse empty?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author display Paul's intelligence level?

2. What does Paul surprisingly say at the end of his examination, and why does it cause everyone to become silent?

3. What is the last thing that Paul sees and hears before the story ends?

4. When and how did Paul's secret start?

5. Why does Aiken choose to set the story in Paul's mind?

6. How is the snow acting during Paul's doctor examination?

7. How is Paul's confusion depicted in Part 1?

8. How does Part 3 end, and what is the new sound that Paul hears?

9. What are some of the descriptions Paul uses to explain how important his secret is in Part 1?

10. Who is Deirdre, and what does she illustrate for Paul?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 898 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample