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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Miss Strangeworth refer to the Cranes' baby as "her highness" (421)?
(a) She is making fun of the possibility that the baby has some kind of developmental problem.
(b) She is trying to make Helen feel better about the baby's problems.
(c) Helen Crane has referred to her as a "princess."
(d) The Cranes are from an even older and more important family than Miss Strangeworth's.

2. 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.

3. Linda suggests that since no one in town seems to care about her and Dave, they should not bother to help anyone else. When Dave decides to help anyway, what does it demonstrate?
(a) That even the town's teenagers are more mature than Miss Strangeworth.
(b) That Linda is really the problem in their relationship, not Dave.
(c) That Miss Strangeworth would not be so isolated if she were a kinder person.
(d) That a good person chooses to be kind and helpful even in difficult times.

4. Miss Strangeworth thinks that children mocking her would be "reprehensible" (426). What would their mocking be, in her opinion?
(a) Embarrassing to a social superior.
(b) Puzzling.
(c) Predictable.
(d) Deserving of strong criticism or blame.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is implied about Miss Strangeworth's choice of the multicolored paper for her notes?

3. Who is Ethan Allen?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the green letter at the end of the story say, and what does it imply?

2. What details does Jackson provide about the interior of Miss Strangeworth's house to show the pride the family has always taken in the house?

3. Explain how Miss Strangeworth's need to do things perfectly is shown in how she writes her letters.

4. What is ironic about Miss Strangeworth's criticisms of Helen and Don Crane's parenting?

5. Describe Miss Strangeworth's feelings about her roses.

6. What does Miss Strangeworth write to Mrs. Foster about her upcoming surgery, and what is she implying?

7. Describe the main character of "The Possibility of Evil."

8. Describe Miss Strangeworth's relationship with Tommy Lewis.

9. What worry does Helen Crane express about her baby daughter, and how does Miss Strangeworth respond to her concerns?

10. To whom do the townspeople want to dedicate a statue, and why does Miss Strangeworth say that it should be a statue of her grandfather, instead?

(see the answer keys)

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