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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What detail is included to show that Miss Chandler is upset about something?
(a) She has clearly been crying.
(b) She looks as if she has not slept well.
(c) She seems distracted and is a little rude.
(d) Her hair does not look as neat as usual.

2. Who is Ethan Allen?
(a) Miss Strangeworth's deceased husband.
(b) Miss Strangeworth's next-door neighbor.
(c) The librarian's boyfriend.
(d) A Revolutionary War hero.

3. Why does Linda Stewart refuse to tell Dave Harris what was in the letter to her parents?
(a) She is worried that part of the letter might be true.
(b) She is embarrassed and horrified about what it said.
(c) She is afraid that Dave will end their relationship if he knows the truth.
(d) She knows that he will become very angry if she tells him what is being said about him.

4. Miss Strangeworth thinks that people everywhere are "degraded" (425). What does this mean that she thinks about people?
(a) They have fallen below the standards of moral, civilized life.
(b) They are easily led into evil actions.
(c) They can be ranked according to how good or bad they are.
(d) They try to sneak around and do bad things without getting caught.

5. What does Miss Strangeworth fail to notice about her letters?
(a) The envelopes are not properly sealed.
(b) She has forgotten to address one.
(c) They do not have stamps on them.
(d) One has fallen onto the ground.

6. When Miss Strangeworth discovers how much trouble she has caused for Linda and Dave, what does she think about it?
(a) She wonders if it can really be true that her letter has had such serious consequences.
(b) She is delighted to know how much pain she has caused.
(c) She thinks about how even in a small town, there are many evil people.
(d) She feels guilty and ashamed.

7. Who planted the roses outside Miss Strangeworth's house?
(a) Miss Strangeworth.
(b) Her great-grandmother.
(c) Her grandmother.
(d) Her mother.

8. What has Miss Strangeworth written to Mr. Lewis in one of her letters?
(a) That his nephew is plotting to kill him.
(b) That his girlfriend probably killed her first husband.
(c) That his wife is cheating on him.
(d) That his grandson is stealing from him.

9. Miss Strangeworth thinks that the Cranes are "infatuated" (421). What would this mean is true about the couple?
(a) They are strange people who often seem out of touch with others.
(b) They are in love, in an exaggerated and perhaps foolish way.
(c) They are kind people but perhaps not very intelligent.
(d) They have a difficult relationship and often argue.

10. Why does Miss Strangeworth think that she has a right to eavesdrop on Linda Stewart at the post office?
(a) It is "her" town and she needs to know if "her" people are in trouble.
(b) She means to help Linda with her troubles.
(c) She knows Linda's parents well.
(d) It is a public place.

11. What color paper does Miss Strangeworth choose for the note to Don Crane about his baby daughter?
(a) Yellow.
(b) Pink.
(c) Green.
(d) Blue.

12. What letter does Miss Strangeworth think about writing to the school board?
(a) One that asks how the chemistry teacher can afford such a fancy car.
(b) One that accuses a student of drinking during the school day.
(c) One that accuses the principal of having an affair with a secretary.
(d) One that accuses the librarian of stealing from the library fund.

13. Miss Strangeworth stops to discuss an "appropriation" with Miss Chandler (422). What are they talking about?
(a) A meeting of an official organization or group.
(b) Something that has been taken without permission.
(c) Money set aside for some purpose.
(d) A policy statement.

14. According to Miss Strangeworth, to whom should Helen apologize?
(a) Miss Strangeworth.
(b) Her husband.
(c) Her mother.
(d) The baby.

15. Who is the author of "The Possibility of Evil"?
(a) Henry James.
(b) Flannery O'Connor.
(c) Shirley Jackson.
(d) Katherine Anne Porter.

Short Answer Questions

1. What business did Miss Strangeworth's grandfather run?

2. What does Helen Crane say she is worried that her daughter should be doing more?

3. What does Miss Strangeworth seem to think her family's place in the world is?

4. On what street does Miss Strangeworth live?

5. The narrator says that Miss Strangeworth's letters "dealt with the more negotiable stuff of suspicion" (424). What is this saying about suspicion?

(see the answer keys)

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