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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. To whom does Tom think the forested swampland belongs?
(a) The devil.
(b) The local Native tribe.
(c) Deacon Peabody.
(d) Absalom Crowninshield

2. What mark does the devil leave on Tom?
(a) A claw mark.
(b) A black fingerprint.
(c) An upside-down cross.
(d) A red mark in the shape of an axe.

3. What is the second thing that Tom does in an attempt to escape his bargain?
(a) He sells his house and donates the money to charity.
(b) He asks a preacher to bless him.
(c) He begins giving refunds to old clients.
(d) He starts carrying a Bible in his pocket.

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

5. What is Tom's reaction to the idea of being a usurer?
(a) He is enthusiastic and willing to do even more than the devil asks.
(b) He is strongly opposed but finally agrees.
(c) He agrees but only because he misunderstands the devil's intentions.
(d) He is reluctant but understands that it is an important service to the community.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Why is Tom happy to see the apron?

3. What is financial speculation?

4. How does Tom seal his bargain with the devil?

5. What does the narrator say is hard to believe about the conversation between Tom and the devil?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Tom believe happened to his wife, and why, and how does he feel about it?

5. How does Tom ultimately slip up and get captured by the devil?

6. What does Tom's wife do as a result of his refusal to make a deal with the devil, and what is the outcome?

7. What is the implication of the conversation between the devil and Tom about the ownership of the swamp land?

8. How does Tom treat his horses, and what does this illustrate about his character?

9. What two reasons does the narrator give for Tom's fearlessness in the swamp and upon meeting the devil?

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

(see the answer keys)

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