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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Tom find in the mud of the swamp?
(a) A human skull.
(b) The remains of a sacrifice to the devil.
(c) A piece of gold.
(d) A serpent.

2. What does the narrator say that savin trees symbolize?
(a) Sterility.
(b) Greed.
(c) Anger.
(d) Hypocrisy.

3. What news does Tom's wife have for him when he returns from the swamp?
(a) Their horse has escaped and they need to replace it.
(b) Absalom Crowninshield has died.
(c) A great treasure has been mysteriously left on their step.
(d) The governor himself has been to visit them.

4. What is the third thing that Tom does in an attempt to escape his bargain?
(a) Has his horse buried upside down.
(b) Converts to an anabaptist sect.
(c) Burns his house to the ground.
(d) Changes his name.

5. The swamp is full of quagmires. What does this mean it is full of?
(a) Soft, wet ground that gives way underfoot.
(b) Thick stands of evergreen trees.
(c) Burrows and hollows where animals live.
(d) Dead, floating timber and brush.

6. What does Tom see at the base of the tree where the apron hangs?
(a) One of his wife's shoes.
(b) Shovel marks in the dirt.
(c) Evidence that his wife fought with the devil.
(d) Axe marks in the bark.

7. What tradition does Tom say should be revived?
(a) Public hangings.
(b) War with Native tribes.
(c) The persecution of other religious sects.
(d) The witch trials.

8. Why is Tom happy to see the apron?
(a) He thinks it means his wife may be nearby.
(b) He believes that it contains valuable items.
(c) He believes that it means his wife is dead.
(d) He thinks that his wife left it as a sign to him.

9. Tom's wife is described as a termagant--what kind of person does this mean she is?
(a) A cold-hearted woman.
(b) A person who loves luxury.
(c) A person who hates to spend money.
(d) A harsh-tempered woman.

10. What do Tom's neighbors do about the constant fighting in the Walker house?
(a) They call the police.
(b) They ask Tom about it privately.
(c) They ignore it.
(d) They stop in to try to find out what is wrong.

11. Why does the narrator say that only Tom Walker would have the nerve to stop at the Native stronghold in the sawmp?
(a) There is a rumor that the Natives worshiped the devil there.
(b) The area is overrun with snakes and alligators.
(c) Other townspeople have seen the devil there.
(d) The area is still frequented by a hostile Native tribe.

12. What tone does the narrator adopt when saying that Tom is a friend to his clients?
(a) Condescending.
(b) Sarcastic.
(c) Nostalgic.
(d) Sorrowful.

13. What is true of the tree Tom is sitting on?
(a) It bears the name of Absalom Crowninshield.
(b) The devil has lit it on fire.
(c) The devil claims that it fell down on its own.
(d) It bears Tom's own name.

14. What does Tom begin keeping on the desk in his office?
(a) A Bible.
(b) A cross.
(c) A rabbit's foot.
(d) A gun.

15. Why does it take Tom a long time to get through the swamp?
(a) The devil is slowing him down.
(b) He is avoiding going home to his wife.
(c) He has to be very careful walking.
(d) He is searching for the treasure.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the second thing that Tom does in an attempt to escape his bargain?

2. What does Tom notice about the tallest trees in the swamp?

3. How does Tom treat his most needy clients?

4. Where is the pirate treasure buried?

5. To what does the narrator metaphorically compare the financial speculation of Governor Belcher's time?

(see the answer keys)

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