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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Which of the following literary techniques is used in the title "The Marry Month of May"?
(a) Hyperbole.
(b) Understatement.
(c) Alliteration.
(d) Personification.

3. What is clear in the first interaction between Mr. Coulson, Miss Coulson, and Mrs. Widdup?
(a) Mrs. Widdup is much more intelligent than she seems at first.
(b) Mr. Coulson is used to having to trick Miss Coulson in order to get his way.
(c) Miss Coulson has no idea that Mr. Coulson has romantic intentions toward Mrs. Widdup.
(d) Both Mr. Coulson and Mrs. Widdup are aware that Miss Coulson will disapprove of them having a relationship.

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

5. What is implied about Miss Coulson when she looks at the flowers "with the eye of a botanist" (334)?
(a) She is very intelligent.
(b) She is logical and unemotional.
(c) She is curious.
(d) She is thinking of cutting them down.

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

7. How does the narrator suggest the reader should respond to the poet who praises the month of May?
(a) With laughter.
(b) With a punch in the eye.
(c) With more accurate scientific information.
(d) With a poem that condemns May.

8. What is the "twist" at the end of this story?
(a) Mr. Coulson never had any romantic intentions toward Mrs. Widdup at all.
(b) Miss Coulson runs away with the iceman.
(c) Mrs. Widdup turns out to be wealthy, herself.
(d) Mrs. Widdup's husband is still alive.

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

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

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

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

13. Which bird is Mr. Coulson said to be "elder brother" to in May?
(a) Turtle-dove.
(b) Robin.
(c) Pigeon.
(d) Chickadee.

14. 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 has lower-class manners.
(c) He is conceited and self-absorbed.
(d) He is trying to show respect for Miss Coulson.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When "May holds up a chiding finger," (332), what is May's intention?

2. Where Mr. Coulson is sitting, two main smells are "battling": the smell of flowers and what other smell?

3. How does Miss Coulson spend the afternoon after her conversation with her father about the cold?

4. What point is made through the juxtaposition of Mr. Coulson's and Mrs. Widdup's comments about springtime?

5. Why is Mr. Coulson so clumsy on the afternoon after the ice is delivered?

(see the answer keys)

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