View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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 sign-in sheet.
(d) A locked door.

3. Which of the Wise Men does Leroy play in the pageant?
(a) Melchior.
(b) Abednigo.
(c) Balthazar.
(d) Caspar.

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

5. When the narrator states how she has always felt about Herod, what is something she does NOT say?
(a) Herod was a villain.
(b) Herod was a king.
(c) Herod was just a name.
(d) Herod was somebody in the Bible.

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

7. In the pageant incarnation described at the center of the narrative, who plays the role of the Angel of the Lord?
(a) Gladys.
(b) The narrator.
(c) Imogene.
(d) Alice.

8. What does the narrator finally decide when she is trying to figure out why someone would write down every bad action taken by the Herdman siblings?
(a) She thinks that it must feel good to Mother to see evidence of the Herdman siblings' evil-doing in black-and-white.
(b) She thinks that it must feel good to Mrs. Wendleken to see evidence of the Herdman siblings' evil-doing in black-and-white.
(c) She thinks that it must feel good to Alice to see evidence of the Herdman siblings' evil-doing in black-and-white.
(d) She thinks that it must feel good to Gladys to see evidence of the Herdman siblings' evil-doing in black-and-white.

9. What is NOT an act included on the pad of paper that lists the bad actions of the Herdman siblings during rehearsals?
(a) They steal Bibles.
(b) They steal crayons from the Sunday School cupboards.
(c) They smoke cigars in the bathroom.
(d) They drink communion wine.

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

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

12. Whom does the narrator name as the character who always plays the role of Joseph?
(a) Reverend Hopkins.
(b) Simon.
(c) Leroy.
(d) Elmer.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Mrs. Armstrong announces that however the pageant turns out, she will accept the what?

2. Mrs. Wendleken uses what adjective to describe Mother's decision to allow a Herdman to play the role of Mary?

3. Who does NOT volunteer to be a Wise Man in the pageant in the year described by the narrator?

4. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 697 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample