View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In paragraph 2, what does the narrator say she sometimes thinks her mother has no memory of from her youth?
(a) Cramming for tests and getting good grades.
(b) Devouring books and writing poetry.
(c) Double somersaults and heart-stopping catches.
(d) School dances and young love.

2. What is something the narrator says happens when she is in her room and gets a "whiff of smoke from the stove downstairs" (para.2)?
(a) The stitches burn beneath her fingers.
(b) She scurries to make sure her mother is okay.
(c) She panics and cannot breath.
(d) She knows her mother must be cooking something special.

3. After reading paragraph 1, what do readers learn about the narrator's mother's former partner?
(a) He was unkind.
(b) He lives with them.
(c) He has died.
(d) They had a falling out.

4. In paragraph 3, where does the narrator say she gets her information about her mother's disaster?
(a) Old newspapers.
(b) Her in-laws.
(c) Her father.
(d) Her mother.

5. What would Harold show the audience members during part of their act?
(a) His blindfold.
(b) His wedding ring.
(c) Anna's smear of lipstick near his mouth.
(d) A card trick.

6. What detail about Anna does the narrator note was not mentioned in the newspaper accounts of the disaster?
(a) She was badly injured.
(b) She was pregnant.
(c) She was blind.
(d) She was Harold's wife.

7. What are some things the narrator says her mother has not kept from her youth?
(a) Journals or news clippings.
(b) Sequined costumes or posters.
(c) Essays or awards.
(d) Old clothes and old friends.

8. What metaphor is used in paragraph 5 to describe the way Anna and Harold would drop through the air during their act?
(a) Like dragonflies in the night.
(b) Like two peas in a pod.
(c) Like two doves in love.
(d) Like two sparkling birds.

9. Where does the narrator and her mother live?
(a) Maine.
(b) Vermont.
(c) Rhode Island.
(d) New Hampshire.

10. How many times does the narrator say she owes her existence to her mother?
(a) 3.
(b) 9.
(c) 2.
(d) Dozens.

11. What did Harold and Anna do in midair during their act according to paragraph 5?
(a) Tell a joke.
(b) Kiss.
(c) Embrace.
(d) Change costumes.

12. What does the narrator suggest may have been Harold's final thought as he fell into the crowd on the day of the disaster?
(a) A surprise that he did not have Anna's hands in his.
(b) I don't want to die.
(c) Anna is with child.
(d) I'm going to sue the tent company.

13. Where does the narrator say she used to live in paragraph 4?
(a) The South.
(b) The North.
(c) The Far East.
(d) The West.

14. What does the narrator say audience members ate while waiting for the act to begin?
(a) Popcorn and peanuts.
(b) Hamburgers and French fries.
(c) Ice cream and candy.
(d) Hot dogs and chips.

15. Who is the author of "The Leap"?
(a) Leonora Ellis.
(b) Leslie Eldridge.
(c) Eleanor Lee.
(d) Louise Erdrich.

Short Answer Questions

1. What condition does the narrator's mother have as explained in paragraph 1?

2. Where does the narrator say the tabloids carried the story of their town's disaster?

3. What happened during Harold and Anna's act just before they were able to clasp hands in midair?

4. What was the narrator's mother's former career as stated in the first sentence?

5. What weather condition resulted in the disaster Anna and her husband experienced during their act?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 578 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample