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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. 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 hates to spend money.
(c) A harsh-tempered woman.
(d) A person who loves luxury.

2. When the narrator refers to Tom's parsimony, what characteristic is being discussed?
(a) Hypocrisy.
(b) Evil.
(c) Trickery.
(d) Cheapness.

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

4. Why is Tom's business immediately successful?
(a) There has been a recent financial crisis.
(b) There is a rush to buy land in the West.
(c) There has been a series of large fires and people need to rebuild.
(d) There has been a recent wave of immigration.

5. What does the narrator say his third attempt to evade the devil shows about Tom?
(a) He has lost his mind.
(b) He is unusually clever.
(c) He is extremely naive.
(d) He is a very persistent man.

Short Answer Questions

1. On what land feature did the old Native stronghold stand?

2. Whose clothing does the devil's clothing resemble?

3. What tradition does Tom say should be revived?

4. How does the devil say the Natives sacrificed a white man to him?

5. What does Tom see near the apron, keeping watch over it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is the guardian of William Kidd's treasure, and why?

2. What kind of a person is Tom Walker's wife?

3. What are some of the details of the plants and animals in the swamp, and what do they signify?

4. What is similar about Tom's fancy house and his religious behavior?

5. Describe the appearance of the devil in this story.

6. What does Tom do with his money and what does it show about his personality?

7. What are Tom Walker's first house and property like?

8. What recent events lead to Tom's business being so successful?

9. Explain how Tom develops into a religious hypocrite.

10. What things does the devil say he supervises on earth?

(see the answer keys)

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