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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: "The Marry Month of May".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is comic about the turn of phrase "she withstood the attack of the ethereal mildness" (334)?
(a) The surprise ending to a well-known phrase.
(b) The idea that "mildness" could be "ethereal."
(c) The contradiction in the terms "attack" and "ethereal mildness."
(d) The understatement of the danger.

2. There are "jonquils" near where Mr. Coulson is sitting. What are jonquils?
(a) They are a kind of daffodil, a flower.
(b) They are a small sparrow-like bird.
(c) They are thick woolen blankets.
(d) They are decorative figures common in early 20th century homes.

3. The story opens with the word "prithee" (332). What does this word mean in this context?
(a) Listen carefully.
(b) Please, I am begging you.
(c) Keep this information secret.
(d) I disapprove of this.

4. How does Miss Coulson spend the afternoon after her conversation with her father about the cold?
(a) She takes a long nap.
(b) She reads a romance book.
(c) She goes shopping.
(d) She works in the garden.

5. Where does Miss Coulson meet the iceman on the next morning?
(a) In the vacant lot next door.
(b) In the kitchen.
(c) In the basement.
(d) In the park across from the house.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Mrs. Widdup's job?

2. What claim is the narrator making by calling humans "lineal scions of the pansy" (332)?

3. What is the implication of the passage "She blushed. Oh, yes, it can be done. Just hold your breath and compress the diaphragm" (333)?

4. What is clear in the first interaction between Mr. Coulson, Miss Coulson, and Mrs. Widdup?

5. What is the "twist" at the end of this story?

(see the answer key)

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