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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Linda says "Catch old lady Strangeworth sending anybody a check," (427), what is she implying?
(a) Miss Strangeworth is getting absentminded.
(b) Miss Strangeworth is not generous.
(c) Miss Strangeworth is weird.
(d) Miss Strangeworth is cruel.

2. What causes Miss Strangeworth to say that the Cranes' baby will expect luxury all of her life?
(a) The baby's beautiful features.
(b) The way that Helen Crane fusses over the baby.
(c) The Cranes' wealth.
(d) The baby's fancy hat and stroller cover.

3. The narrator says that Miss Strangeworth's letters "dealt with the more negotiable stuff of suspicion" (424). What is this saying about suspicion?
(a) It is a negative force in the lives of the people of the town.
(b) It is flexible in the way that facts are not.
(c) It is something that Miss Strangeworth feels more and more over time.
(d) It is the kind of thing that people argue about.

4. What literary technique is used when Miss Strangeworth asks Helen if she has upset her husband by pointing out that the baby is " six months old and hasn't yet begun to learn to dance"?
(a) Simile.
(b) Personification.
(c) Imagery.
(d) Hyperbole.

5. Why does Miss Strangeworth feel so certain that the children in front of the post office will be respectful toward her?
(a) She thinks that they would not dare to make fun of someone as important as her.
(b) She knows that the children of the town have all be raised to respect older people.
(c) She thinks that there is nothing about her that a person could possibly make fun of.
(d) She has been a good friend to their families and knows most of them by name.

6. According to a town legend, what was Strangeworth House once mistaken for?
(a) A museum.
(b) A police station.
(c) A school.
(d) A library.

7. What does Miss Strangeworth's nice cream-colored stationery say at the top?
(a) The Strangeworths.
(b) It is monogrammed with her initials.
(c) Strangeworth House.
(d) Miss Adela Strangeworth.

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

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

10. Why did Miss Strangeworth stop calling Tommy Lewis "Tommy" and start calling him "Mr. Lewis"?
(a) He asked her to marry him and then broke off their engagement.
(b) It was not usual for adults in this time to use one another's first names.
(c) They had a terrible fight in high school.
(d) She thinks that his status as a grocer is beneath her.

11. What does Miss Strangeworth tell Mr. Lewis that he has forgotten to do?
(a) Tell his grandson that she said "hello."
(b) Charge her for the strawberries.
(c) Stock the brand of cat food she needs.
(d) Remind her to buy tea.

12. 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 knows Linda's parents well.
(c) She means to help Linda with her troubles.
(d) It is a public place.

13. When Miss Strangeworth is walking "daintily" along Main Street, (417), how is she walking?
(a) Quickly, briskly, as if she is in a hurry.
(b) Boldly, as if she is in charge of her surroundings.
(c) Delicately, with small steps; in a charming way.
(d) Slowly, in an unsteady and careful manner.

14. How old is Miss Strangeworth?
(a) 71.
(b) 81.
(c) 91.
(d) 61.

15. What do people in town assume it means when someone writes on blue paper?
(a) They are almost out of paper.
(b) They could not afford the more expensive cream-colored paper.
(c) They are trying to show off.
(d) They are irritated at the person they are writing to.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Dave Harris's reason for hand-delivering one of Miss Strangeworth's letters?

2. Miss Strangeworth thinks about the Cranes "indulgently" (421). How does she think about them?

3. Who is the original owner of Miss Strangeworth's house?

4. Why does Miss Strangeworth fail to notice the important detail about her letters?

5. What is the purpose of including the details about how many people Miss Strangeworth talks to on her trip to the grocery store?

(see the answer keys)

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