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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. 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 strong cologne.
(c) Mr. Coulson's uneaten breakfast.
(d) The musty smell of Mr. Coulson's room.

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

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

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

15. What does the narrator call the "most potent weapons of insidious May" (334)?
(a) Sunny days.
(b) Warm breezes.
(c) Birds.
(d) Flowers.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is comic about the turn of phrase "she withstood the attack of the ethereal mildness" (334)?

2. Whom does the narrator refer to as "the venerable and scarcely suspecting victim of May" (334)?

3. When the narrator lists the kinds of inappropriate relationships that May encourages, one of the items in the list is "old chaps" who dress up and "parade in front of the Normal School" (332). Who are these old men trying to impress with their fancy clothing?

4. 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?

5. How much ice does Miss Coulson order be delivered each day?

(see the answer keys)

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