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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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?
(a) Young women training to become school teachers.
(b) Lower-class college-aged women.
(c) Schoolgirls.
(d) Female college professors.

3. 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.

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

5. 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) Both Mr. Coulson and Mrs. Widdup are aware that Miss Coulson will disapprove of them having a relationship.
(d) Miss Coulson has no idea that Mr. Coulson has romantic intentions toward Mrs. Widdup.

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

7. What claim is the narrator making by calling humans "lineal scions of the pansy" (332)?
(a) Humans are the servants of nature.
(b) Pansies are more like humans than most people realize.
(c) Plants and animals are just as valuable as humans.
(d) Humans and flowers are related through evolution.

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

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

10. 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.

11. 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 is concerned that he is all by himself.
(c) She needs to tell him that everyone else has left the house.
(d) She wants him to finish what he was going to say on the day before.

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

13. 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 spends the winter in Palm Beach.
(d) He does not want Mrs. Widdup to go away on vacation.

14. With which motif is Miss Coulson most identified?
(a) Ice.
(b) Flowers.
(c) Wealth.
(d) May.

15. On page 334, the narrator refers to the "panoply" of Miss Coulson's "unthrilled bosom." What is the meaning of "panoply" in this context?
(a) Unemotional wisdom.
(b) An impressive array.
(c) A suit of armor.
(d) Ceremonial clothing.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What is the name of the servant who usually gives Mr. Coulson his medication?

(see the answer keys)

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