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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator says,"Pixies and flibbertigibbits haunt the budding woods" (332). What is in the woods?
(a) Tricky supernatural creatures and shallow, easily distracted people.
(b) Tricky supernatural creatures and people with evil intentions.
(c) Dangerous monsters and people with evil intentions.
(d) Dangerous monsters and shallow, easily distracted people.

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

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

4. What is the implication of the passage "She blushed. Oh, yes, it can be done. Just hold your breath and compress the diaphragm" (333)?
(a) In her excitement, Mrs. Widdup can barely breathe.
(b) Mrs. Widdup may be faking her reaction to Mr. Coulson.
(c) Blushing happens when the diaphragm is contracted too forcefully.
(d) Most people blush on purpose.

5. On the final morning of the story, what causes Mr. Coulson's mood to change?
(a) Miss Coulson has told him that he is behaving badly.
(b) It is warm again and the windows are open.
(c) He is in much less pain than usual.
(d) Mrs. Widdup has threatened to quit.

6. Where does Miss Coulson meet the iceman on the next morning?
(a) In the kitchen.
(b) In the park across from the house.
(c) In the basement.
(d) In the vacant lot next door.

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

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

9. Why does Miss Coulson ask when Mrs. Widdup's vacation begins?
(a) She is eager to get Mrs. Widdup away from Mr. Coulson.
(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 wondering if Mr. Coulson will try to go away with Mrs. Widdup.

10. When Mr. Coulson complains about the cold, what is his servant's response?
(a) He offers to investigate the problem.
(b) He laughs.
(c) He shuts the windows.
(d) He calls for Mrs. Widdup.

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

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

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

14. What is the name of the servant who usually gives Mr. Coulson his medication?
(a) Marley.
(b) Treadwell.
(c) Foster.
(d) Higgins.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the "portières" that Miss Coulson is sitting near?

2. Which of the following literary techniques is used in the title "The Marry Month of May"?

3. 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?

4. What is the "twist" at the end of this story?

5. What kind of clam is a "chowder-doomed clam" (332)?

(see the answer keys)

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