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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What topic do the Herdman siblings research during their first visit to the library?
(a) The Wise Men.
(b) Bethlehem.
(c) Christmas.
(d) Herod.

2. What happens while the fire department is inside the church and the evacuated civilians are waiting outside?
(a) A thunderstorm begins.
(b) The church's pet rabbit runs into the road.
(c) The applesauce cake burns up.
(d) A taxi cab nearly runs over one of the church members.

3. When Mother hears the doorbell during her conversation with Mrs. Armstrong, who is at the door?
(a) Reverend Hopkins.
(b) The narrator.
(c) Father.
(d) Mr. Armstrong.

4. What is NOT an element mentioned by the narrator as a quality the pageant Mary had always displayed?
(a) Dreamy.
(b) Otherworldly.
(c) Quiet.
(d) Ever-smiling.

5. How often does Mrs. Armstrong call the narrator's mother from her hospital bed?
(a) Every day.
(b) Every other day.
(c) Twice a week.
(d) Five times a day.

6. What kinds of books does the narrator say are kept in the basement of the library?
(a) Biology.
(b) Health.
(c) Discarded.
(d) Dirty.

7. After completing research at the library, in what way do the Herdmans want to rewrite the pageant?
(a) They want to plan a trip to Bethlehem.
(b) They want the Wise Men to wear crowns.
(c) They want to hang streamers for Jesus's birthday.
(d) They want to hang Herod at the end.

8. Who does NOT volunteer to be a Wise Man in the pageant in the year described by the narrator?
(a) Elmer.
(b) Leroy.
(c) Ollie.
(d) Claude.

9. On what adjective do Mother and Father agree when describing Mary having to give birth to Jesus in a stable?
(a) Humble.
(b) Sad.
(c) Disgraceful.
(d) Awe-inspiring.

10. The narrator proclaims that it does not seem right for Father to be on the same side as whom?
(a) Mother.
(b) Mrs. Wendleken.
(c) The Herdmans.
(d) Reverend Hopkins.

11. What happens to rob the pageant of its real infant playing the role of Jesus?
(a) The baby gets the mumps.
(b) The baby is needed for another nativity pageant that night.
(c) The baby is adopted by a family.
(d) The baby gets chicken pox.

12. What reason does Mother finally give Mrs. Armstrong so that she can get off the phone and cook the pork chops?
(a) She says there is someone at the door.
(b) She says that her husband is hungry.
(c) She says that she is tired of Mrs. Armstrong's calls at supper time.
(d) She says there is someone else on the other line.

13. What evidence is there for the conclusion that Mother had been a good choice to run a pageant full of Herdmans?
(a) She is tough and does not take any mouthing off from the Herdman kids.
(b) She is very patient and explains everything to them so they can understand the story.
(c) She is a large, intimidating woman who yells a lot.
(d) She had studied acting in college and knows how to handle difficult actors.

14. When Mrs. McCarthy calls Mother, what does she suggest the Herdmans be allowed to do in lieu of taking roles within the pageant?
(a) Directing traffic outside.
(b) Decorating the trees lining the church lot.
(c) Handing out programs.
(d) Painting the church.

15. Who begins to write down on a pad of paper every bad action taken by the Herdman siblings during the pageant rehearsals?
(a) Mother.
(b) Mrs. Wendleken.
(c) Gladys.
(d) Alice.

Short Answer Questions

1. What object does Ollie have to have surgically removed from his ear?

2. Miss Graebner tells Mother that she can now retire because she has heard everything. What has she heard?

3. What is the true source of the smoke that causes one of the women in the Ladies' Aid group to call the fire department?

4. With what role assignment does Mrs. Armstrong say she always begins the pageant preparations?

5. What does the narrator mean when she says Mother told her "not to be so fresh" (26)?

(see the answer keys)

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