1. What does Mrs. Quinn realize when she gets the keys from Mr. Willens's pocket?
(a) His body is getting stiff.
(b) The neighbors might have already seen the car.
(c) His body is still warm.
(d) His wife might know that he is at their house.

2. What does Enid do about Mrs. Quinn's "violent itching" (31)?
(a) Gives her oatmeal baths.
(b) Presses ice packs against her skin.
(c) Wraps her hands so she cannot scratch.
(d) Spreads medicated lotion on her skin.

3. What detail does Enid notice about the front-room floor?
(a) There is a loose floorboard with an empty space underneath.
(b) It has recently had a new coat of paint.
(c) It has not ever been properly polished.
(d) It is starting to rot through.

4. Why is the house lit by candlelight when Rupert comes in one night?
(a) Enid has turned off the lights to let the children sleep downstairs.
(b) The electricity has gone out in a storm.
(c) Enid is trying to create a romantic atmosphere.
(d) The electricity has been shut off for nonpayment.

5. At the end of "Mistake," what is meant by the final sentence, "What a laugh" (62)?
(a) This refers to the idea that the Quinns got away with murder.
(b) This refers to Rupert's failure to fully understand what was going on between his wife and Mr. Willens.
(c) This refers to the attitude of the townsfolk about the death of Mr. Willens.
(d) This refers to Mrs. Quinn's attitude toward reading about Mr. Willens's death.

Short Answer Questions

1. What technique is used in the sentence, "Oh, Missus, would you like me to examine your eyes for you, just sit down here and just you relax and you just shut the one eye and keep the other one wide open" (62)?

2. What do the boys buy at Paquette's Service Station?

3. What is Enid doing when Rupert comes into the house to find it lit by candlelight?

4. What sign does Rupert give after the murder that he is starting to realize the seriousness of the situation?

5. What does Enid's mother believe is true about Enid?

(see the answer key)

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