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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What method does Imogene tell Mother she can use to get a real baby to play Jesus?
(a) She can kidnap a baby.
(b) She can borrow her neighbor's baby.
(c) She can ask her mother to have another baby.
(d) She can put an ad in the newspaper.

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

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

4. What does Mrs. Armstrong mean by the saying she always tells the pageant participants?
(a) She means that learning lines is the first step to a good performance.
(b) She means that the short children need to be up front so everyone can see them.
(c) She means that thinking of what may go wrong in the pageant will help prevent disaster.
(d) She means that every role is important, no matter how small.

5. What is NOT a role assigned to the older boys and girls without major parts in the pageant?
(a) Members of the angel choir.
(b) Ushers.
(c) Shepherds.
(d) Guests at the inn.

6. 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 she is tired of Mrs. Armstrong's calls at supper time.
(c) She says there is someone else on the other line.
(d) She says that her husband is hungry.

7. What does the narrator say about the Herdmans' attendance at the pageant rehearsals?
(a) They only missed one rehearsal.
(b) They were always there, on time, and on task.
(c) They were always there, but always late.
(d) They were always there and on time, but never on task.

8. What does Imogene NOT threaten to do to Alice if Alice tries to play the part of Mary?
(a) To get Alice thrown out of school.
(b) To draw pictures all over Alice's homework.
(c) To put worms in Alice's coat pocket.
(d) To hit Alice in the head.

9. What does the narrator say about the prediction that no would come to see the pageant?
(a) She says that the person could not possibly believe their own luck.
(b) She says the person had been right.
(c) She says the person had been wrong.
(d) She says the person had been partially correct.

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

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

12. The narrator states that "the Herdmans started out mean, right from" (59) what?
(a) Their first screams.
(b) The stroller.
(c) Their first breaths.
(d) The cradle.

13. Which character voices the concern that no one may come to see the pageant?
(a) Charlie.
(b) Reverend Hopkins.
(c) Father.
(d) Ralph.

14. 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) Gladys.
(c) Mrs. Wendleken.
(d) Alice.

15. Mrs. Armstrong tells Mother that she always reminds the pageant participants of what saying?
(a) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
(b) A stitch in time saves nine.
(c) There are no small parts, only small actors.
(d) It is better to be safe than sorry.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens while the fire department is inside the church and the evacuated civilians are waiting outside?

2. What action eventually taken by a Herdman sibling is said by the narrator to be "the one great big sinful thing Alice" (66) had been hoping for?

3. On what day of the week does Mother say the pageant rehearsals will be?

4. When the narrator describes how many people in town end up attending the pageant overall, for what purpose does she say those people attend?

5. Which character asks Mother if she thinks the church should call off the pageant?

(see the answer keys)

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