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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What statement does Mother make that causes the narrator to describe her words as "the biggest" of "all the lies she'd told so far" (68)?
(a) She says that Gladys will be the best Angel of the Lord the church has ever seen.
(b) She says that Imogene will be the best Mary the church has ever seen.
(c) She says that Ralph will be the best Joseph the church has ever seen.
(d) She says that this year's Christmas pageant will be the best the church has ever seen.

2. When Mother is explaining the process of the pageant, what does the narrator think about how Mrs. Armstrong would feel about Mother's explanation?
(a) She thinks Mrs. Armstrong would be jealous of Mother's success.
(b) She thinks Mrs. Armstrong would be angry about how much Mother is leaving out.
(c) She thinks Mrs. Armstrong would be surprised at how well-spoken Mother is.
(d) She thinks Mrs. Armstrong would be proud of how thorough Mother is being.

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

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

5. The pageant's dress rehearsal takes place the night before what other event?
(a) The bake sale.
(b) The opening night of the pageant.
(c) The rummage sale.
(d) The pot-luck dinner.

6. Mrs. Wendleken uses what adjective to describe Mother's decision to allow a Herdman to play the role of Mary?
(a) Immoral.
(b) Heretical.
(c) Sacrilegious.
(d) Insane.

7. 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) Painting the church.
(c) Decorating the trees lining the church lot.
(d) Handing out programs.

8. What object does Ollie have to have surgically removed from his ear?
(a) A vitamin pill.
(b) A kernel of corn.
(c) A kidney bean.
(d) A sprouted pussy willow.

9. By the time all of the parts are assigned in the narrative, most of the actors have what last name?
(a) Wendelken.
(b) Hopkins.
(c) Herdman.
(d) Armstrong.

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

11. How much had the character who always played Joseph unsuccessfully offered another character to play the role of Joseph instead?
(a) $5.
(b) 50 cents.
(c) $1.
(d) $10.

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

13. Whose name does Mother NOT call when she is trying to make sure that no one else is interested in playing the role of Mary?
(a) Alice.
(b) Imogene.
(c) Roberta.
(d) Janet.

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

15. In the pageant incarnation described at the center of the narrative, who plays the role of Joseph?
(a) Ralph.
(b) Leroy.
(c) Gladys.
(d) Elmer.

Short Answer Questions

1. After completing research at the library, in what way do the Herdmans want to rewrite the pageant?

2. How many rehearsals in total does Mother say will take place before the pageant performance?

3. What element does the narrator name as keeping people from getting into the library basement undetected?

4. What is NOT an act included on the pad of paper that lists the bad actions of the Herdman siblings during rehearsals?

5. On what adjective do Mother and Father agree when describing Mary having to give birth to Jesus in a stable?

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This section contains 695 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample