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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Miss Coulson's believe about love?
(a) That it is a pretense.
(b) That it is overpowering.
(c) That it is humiliating.
(d) That it is inconvenient.

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

3. What are the "portières" that Miss Coulson is sitting near?
(a) Hanging lamps.
(b) Wall hangings.
(c) Window shutters.
(d) Curtains hung in the doorway.

4. When Miss Coulson stands thinking at the window, to what insects does she mentally compare Mr. Coulson and Mrs. Widdup?
(a) Fleas.
(b) Mayflies.
(c) Cockroaches.
(d) Mosquitoes.

5. What information does Mrs. Widdup give Mr. Coulson that contradicts what Miss Coulson told him earlier?
(a) She tells him that Miss Coulson is upstairs sleeping.
(b) She tells him that Miss Coulson has had a very large ice order delivered.
(c) She tells him that his manservant has gone to the post office.
(d) She tells him that it is warm outside.

6. Why does Mr. Coulson tell his servant to "bring an axe" (335)?
(a) He is joking about killing himself.
(b) He wants to break up the ice.
(c) He wants to cut down the flowers.
(d) He is threatening to kill the servant.

7. 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) An impressive array.
(b) A suit of armor.
(c) Ceremonial clothing.
(d) Unemotional wisdom.

8. When "May holds up a chiding finger," (332), what is May's intention?
(a) To scold.
(b) To indicate the "first" of something.
(c) To indicate a direction.
(d) To indicate a pause.

9. What does Mr. Coulson call Mrs. Widdup when she starts talking about "ivy and hand-organs" (335)?
(a) A romantic.
(b) A fool.
(c) "My dear."
(d) Insane.

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

11. What does the narrator warn the reader to "never trust" (333)?
(a) Sparrows.
(b) May.
(c) Warm breezes.
(d) Hyacinths.

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

13. Miss Coulson has a "lorgnette" (334). What is a lorgnette?
(a) A piece of jewelry used to hold a scarf or shawl closed.
(b) A high-necked, long-sleeved sweater.
(c) Glasses that have a handle instead of ear-pieces.
(d) A round, flat case designed to hold medications or tobacco.

14. How much ice does Miss Coulson order be delivered each day?
(a) 250 pounds.
(b) 500 pounds.
(c) 2,000 pounds.
(d) 1,000 pounds.

15. What is the purpose of the allusion to the "virgin of Cologne" (334)?
(a) It foreshadows later plot events.
(b) It characterizes Miss Coulson as cruel and selfish.
(c) It reminds the reader that Miss Coulson is very religious.
(d) It implies that Miss Coulson is uninterested in romantic love.

Short Answer Questions

1. Mrs. Widdup is described as "comely" (333). What does this mean is true about her?

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

3. Who is the author of "The Marry Month of May"?

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

5. What is the name of the servant who usually gives Mr. Coulson his medication?

(see the answer keys)

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