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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. What does Mrs. Armstrong mean by the saying she always tells the pageant participants?
(a) She means that thinking of what may go wrong in the pageant will help prevent disaster.
(b) She means that the short children need to be up front so everyone can see them.
(c) She means that learning lines is the first step to a good performance.
(d) She means that every role is important, no matter how small.

2. What do the Herdman siblings do once the fire department arrives at the church?
(a) They throw spitballs at the evacuees.
(b) They lie down in the street.
(c) They leave.
(d) They ask to help fight the fire.

3. On what day of the week does Mother say the pageant rehearsals will be?
(a) Saturdays.
(b) Sundays.
(c) Thursdays.
(d) Wednesdays.

4. Whom does the narrator name as the character who always plays the role of Mary?
(a) Gladys.
(b) Herself.
(c) Imogene.
(d) Alice.

5. What does Mother tell Charlie when he says he does not want to be a shepherd and will become sick if she forces him?
(a) She tells Charlie he will not get sick.
(b) She tells Charlie to adjust his attitude.
(c) She tells Charlie to mind his own business.
(d) She tells Charlie not to be dramatic.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who begins to write down on a pad of paper every bad action taken by the Herdman siblings during the pageant rehearsals?

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

3. What topic do the Herdman siblings research during their first visit to the library?

4. What happens to rob the pageant of its real infant playing the role of Jesus?

5. The pageant's dress rehearsal takes place the night before what other event?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What behaviors of the Herdman siblings indicate their keen interest in the subject of the Christmas story?

6. 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).

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

8. In what ways does Mother display the qualities of fortitude and perseverance?

9. What does the library symbolize?

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

(see the answer keys)

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