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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In what location does Imogene ask the narrator how to check out a book from the library?
(a) The playground.
(b) The gym.
(c) The classroom.
(d) The library.

2. What kind of expression does Alice have on her face when she answers Mother's query about Alice's behavior during the assigning of pageant roles?
(a) She looks uncertain.
(b) She looks scared.
(c) She looks mad.
(d) She looks sheepish.

3. 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?
(a) Ollie cheating on a test.
(b) Ralph setting off fireworks.
(c) Imogene burning down the church.
(d) Imogene smoking a cigar.

4. Why do all of the shepherds get nervous when Mother mentions the Angel of the Lord?
(a) They are scared of Alice, the girl playing the Angel of the Lord.
(b) They are scared of Gladys, the girl playing the Angel of the Lord.
(c) They are scared of Imogene, the girl playing the Angel of the Lord.
(d) They are scared of the narrator, the girl playing the Angel of the Lord.

5. How does Imogene feel about Mother's announcement that the pageant will use a doll for the role of Jesus?
(a) She is pleased because dolls do not bite.
(b) She is sad because her heart had been set on a real baby.
(c) She is pleased because dolls do not spit up.
(d) She is angry because she wants to borrow her neighbor's baby.

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

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

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

9. What element does the narrator name as keeping people from getting into the library basement undetected?
(a) A noisy chain.
(b) The treacherous stairs.
(c) A locked door.
(d) A sign-in sheet.

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

11. At the end of Mother's story to Father about the first pageant rehearsal, what conclusion does she draw about the Herdman siblings?
(a) They are sincere in their interest in acting.
(b) They have good instincts.
(c) They have dim futures.
(d) They will surely ruin the pageant.

12. 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 pot-luck dinner.
(d) The rummage sale.

13. 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.

14. Which character asks Mother if she thinks the church should call off the pageant?
(a) Father.
(b) Mrs. Wendleken.
(c) Ralph.
(d) Reverend Hopkins.

15. 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 to hang streamers for Jesus's birthday.
(c) They want to hang Herod at the end.
(d) They want the Wise Men to wear crowns.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. What is NOT an element mentioned by the narrator as a quality the pageant Mary had always displayed?

3. In the pageant incarnation described at the center of the narrative, who plays the role of Joseph?

4. Whom does the narrator name as the character who always plays the role of Mary?

5. What does Mrs. Armstrong mean by the saying she always tells the pageant participants?

(see the answer keys)

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