View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what historical person does the narrator allude when referring to the ludicrous nature of Mother's declaration about the coming Christmas pageant?
(a) Jacques Cousteau.
(b) Amelia Earhart.
(c) General Custer.
(d) Sitting Bull.

2. 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.

3. Mrs. Armstrong announces that however the pageant turns out, she will accept the what?
(a) The blame.
(b) Kudos.
(c) Consequences.
(d) The credit.

4. Mrs. Armstrong tells Mother that she must choose the person who plays Mary very carefully because of what reason?
(a) Because Mary has the most elaborate costume.
(b) Because Mary has the greatest number of lines.
(c) Because Mary does not speak and only uses facial expressions.
(d) Because Mary was the mother of Jesus.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the Herdman siblings do once the fire department arrives at the church?

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

3. At the end of Mother's story to Father about the first pageant rehearsal, what conclusion does she draw about the Herdman siblings?

4. How does Imogene feel about Mother's announcement that the pageant will use a doll for the role of Jesus?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Reverend Hopkins redirect his congregation when he notices their treatment of the Herdman siblings?

2. What kinds of transgressions do the Herdman siblings commit throughout the course of the pageant rehearsal period and how does the narrator know about these actions?

3. In what ways does the author depict Father as a funny man?

4. Discuss the significance of Mother's comment when she states to Father, "No, their chief instinct was to get Mary and the baby out of the barn. But even so, it was Herod they wanted to do away with, and Mary or Joseph. They picked out the right villain -- that must mean something" (50).

5. Discuss how Mother's character is depicted as having unending supplies of patience and compassion.

6. What connections does the author draw between the Herdmans and the Holy Family?

7. What evidence does the author provide for the conclusion that having the first meeting about the pageant after church is a poor decision?

8. How is irony used within the depiction of the cigar-smoking incident in the church restroom?

9. Discuss the author's purpose for including Alice's character within the narrative.

10. What does the narrator understand about the Herdman siblings that Alice does not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,443 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample