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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 contradiction in the terms "attack" and "ethereal mildness."
(c) The understatement of the danger.
(d) The idea that "mildness" could be "ethereal."

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

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

4. Which neighborhood does Mr. Coulson live in?
(a) Carnegie Hill.
(b) Gramercy Park.
(c) Lincoln Square.
(d) Chelsea.

5. What illness does Mr. Coulson suffer from?
(a) Lupus.
(b) Anemia.
(c) Rheumatism.
(d) Gout.

6. When the author compares May to Circe and explains the comparison at length, what literary technique is he using?
(a) Synechdoche.
(b) Conceit.
(c) Hyperbole.
(d) Anaphora.

7. 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.

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

9. There are "jonquils" near where Mr. Coulson is sitting. What are jonquils?
(a) They are a small sparrow-like bird.
(b) They are thick woolen blankets.
(c) They are a kind of daffodil, a flower.
(d) They are decorative figures common in early 20th century homes.

10. What is clear in the first interaction between Mr. Coulson, Miss Coulson, and Mrs. Widdup?
(a) Both Mr. Coulson and Mrs. Widdup are aware that Miss Coulson will disapprove of them having a relationship.
(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) Mrs. Widdup is much more intelligent than she seems at first.

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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the details about the iceman's sleeves and hat intended to convey?

2. Why does Miss Coulson ask when Mrs. Widdup's vacation begins?

3. On page 334, the narrator refers to the "panoply" of Miss Coulson's "unthrilled bosom." What is the meaning of "panoply" in this context?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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