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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the narrator, what does May want humans to remember?
(a) That they should be kind to one another.
(b) That they should be grateful for the coming summer.
(c) That they are not immortal.
(d) That they are also animals.

2. On page 334, the narrator refers to the "panoply" of Miss Coulson's "unthrilled bosom." What is the meaning of "panoply" in this context?
(a) Ceremonial clothing.
(b) Unemotional wisdom.
(c) An impressive array.
(d) A suit of armor.

3. Where Mr. Coulson is sitting, two main smells are "battling": the smell of flowers and what other smell?
(a) The medicine on Mr. Coulson's skin.
(b) Mr. Coulson's uneaten breakfast.
(c) The musty smell of Mr. Coulson's room.
(d) Mr. Coulson's strong cologne.

4. What point is made through the juxtaposition of Mr. Coulson's and Mrs. Widdup's comments about springtime?
(a) There is a significant gap in their education and social classes.
(b) Mrs. Widdup does not return Mr. Coulson's affections.
(c) They have very different points of view about springtime.
(d) Mrs. Widdup is a much more emotional person than Mr. Coulson is.

5. Why does Miss Coulson ask when Mrs. Widdup's vacation begins?
(a) She is wondering if Mr. Coulson will try to go away with Mrs. Widdup.
(b) She is hoping to get away from the house for a while, herself.
(c) She will need to make arrangements for Mr. Coulson's care.
(d) She is eager to get Mrs. Widdup away from Mr. Coulson.

6. What is implied by Mr. Coulson's mention of Palm Beach?
(a) He spends the winter in Palm Beach.
(b) He dislikes New York.
(c) He misses his friends in Palm Beach.
(d) He does not want Mrs. Widdup to go away on vacation.

7. What physical gesture of affection does Mr. Coulson make toward Mrs. Widdup?
(a) He touches her arm.
(b) He strokes her hair.
(c) He holds her hand.
(d) He kisses her.

8. After the iceman tells Miss Coulson, "It'll be a pleasure to fix things up for you any way you please," the narrator comments "Alas for May" (334). What is implied by this comment?
(a) Miss Coulson would not have to scheme against Mr. Coulson if it were not for the season.
(b) The iceman is mocking Miss Coulson for making such a strange request.
(c) Miss Coulson has deliberately given the iceman the wrong impression about her intentions.
(d) The iceman is flirting a little bit with Miss Coulson.

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

10. When Mr. Coulson is irritated, he complains that no one in the house does what?
(a) Attempts to entertain him.
(b) Cares if he lives or dies.
(c) Listens to him when he speaks.
(d) Responds when he rings for a servant.

11. Why is Mr. Coulson so clumsy on the afternoon after the ice is delivered?
(a) He is frustrated that he has not yet been able to confess his feelings to Mrs. Widdup.
(b) He is nervous about speaking to Mrs. Widdup.
(c) He is upset because of the cold.
(d) He is angry at Miss Coulson's meddling.

12. When Mr. Coulson continues quoting the poem and mentions "a livelier iris," what does Mrs. Widdup think he is talking about? (333)
(a) The Irish.
(b) Eyes.
(c) Flowers.
(d) A bird.

13. What is implied by the number of days for which Miss Coulson orders extra ice?
(a) She thinks that she will need five days to get to know the iceman better.
(b) She thinks that the flowers will be done blooming in five days.
(c) She knows that after five days Mr. Coulson will be too irritated to talk to Mrs. Widdup at all.
(d) She wants the deliveries to last until Mrs. Widdup leaves for vacation.

14. Whom does the narrator refer to as "the venerable and scarcely suspecting victim of May" (334)?
(a) Mrs. Widdup.
(b) The iceman.
(c) Mr. Coulson.
(d) Miss Coulson.

15. What claim is the narrator making by calling humans "lineal scions of the pansy" (332)?
(a) Pansies are more like humans than most people realize.
(b) Plants and animals are just as valuable as humans.
(c) Humans are the servants of nature.
(d) Humans and flowers are related through evolution.

Short Answer Questions

1. Miss Coulson has a "lorgnette" (334). What is a lorgnette?

2. The story opens with the word "prithee" (332). What does this word mean in this context?

3. When Mr. Coulson asks for his "aconite," what is he asking for (333)?

4. How does the narrator suggest the reader should respond to the poet who praises the month of May?

5. On the final morning of the story, what causes Mr. Coulson's mood to change?

(see the answer keys)

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