View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is Miss Van Meeker Constantia Coulson?
(a) Mr. Coulson's sister.
(b) Mr. Coulson's daughter.
(c) Mr. Coulson's granddaughter.
(d) Mr. Coulson's aunt.

2. What is the first indication that Mrs. Widdup does not listen carefully?
(a) She thinks that Mr. Coulson is telling her about his feelings for another woman.
(b) She does not pay attention to how much medication she is supposed to give Mr. Coulson.
(c) She does not respond to the question that Mr. Coulson asks her.
(d) She interrupts Mr. Coulson when he is speaking.

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

4. Mrs. Widdup is described as "comely" (333). What does this mean is true about her?
(a) She is clever.
(b) She is a hard worker.
(c) She is funny.
(d) She is attractive.

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

6. What is Mrs. Widdup's job?
(a) Housekeeper.
(b) Parlor maid.
(c) Nurse.
(d) Cook.

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

8. How old is Mrs. Widdup?
(a) 49.
(b) 40.
(c) 35.
(d) 30.

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

10. 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.

11. How many years apart are Miss Coulson's and Mrs. Widdup's ages?
(a) 5.
(b) 10.
(c) 15.
(d) They are the same age.

12. Why does Mrs. Widdup go into Mr. Coulson's room in the afternoon on the second day of the story?
(a) She hears him ring for help.
(b) She needs to tell him that everyone else has left the house.
(c) She is concerned that he is all by himself.
(d) She wants him to finish what he was going to say on the day before.

13. What are the details about the iceman's sleeves and hat intended to convey?
(a) He thinks that Miss Coulson may be in love with him.
(b) He is conceited and self-absorbed.
(c) He has lower-class manners.
(d) He is trying to show respect for Miss Coulson.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator says,"Pixies and flibbertigibbits haunt the budding woods" (332). What is in the woods?

2. What does the narrator warn the reader to "never trust" (333)?

3. What is implied about Miss Coulson when she looks at the flowers "with the eye of a botanist" (334)?

4. Which bird is Mr. Coulson said to be "elder brother" to in May?

5. What is implied by Mr. Coulson's mention of Palm Beach?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 675 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample