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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the narrator describes how many people in town end up attending the pageant overall, for what purpose does she say those people attend?
(a) To see what Reverend Hopkins would do.
(b) To see what Elmer would do.
(c) To see what Charlie would do.
(d) To see what the Herdman siblings would do.

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

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

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

5. What evidence is there for the conclusion that Mother had been a good choice to run a pageant full of Herdmans?
(a) She is a large, intimidating woman who yells a lot.
(b) She is very patient and explains everything to them so they can understand the story.
(c) She is tough and does not take any mouthing off from the Herdman kids.
(d) She had studied acting in college and knows how to handle difficult actors.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the narrator say about the prediction that no would come to see the pageant?

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

3. What does Imogene NOT threaten to do to Alice if Alice tries to play the part of Mary?

4. Why do all of the shepherds get nervous when Mother mentions the Angel of the Lord?

5. Which of the Wise Men does Leroy play in the pageant?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss how the theme of appearance versus reality appears in Chapter Five.

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

3. What event causes the narrator to consider what the world would be like if Jesus had not lived past infancy?

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

5. How is foreshadowing employed within the last two sentences of Chapter Six?

6. 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?

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

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

9. What questions are raised in the narrator's mind about the Nativity story as a result of her interactions with the Herdmans?

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

(see the answer keys)

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