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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. What is the best definition of "proverbial" in the sentence "Miss Strangeworth's hats were proverbial in the town" (426)?
(a) As inflexible and unchanging as something from a proverb.
(b) As well-known and widely understood as something from a proverb.
(c) As clear and easy to understand as something from a proverb.
(d) As old-fashioned as something from a proverb.

2. 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) A policy statement.
(d) Money set aside for some purpose.

3. What kind of flowers does Miss Strangeworth send to the church for the celebration of the new minister's arrival?
(a) Roses.
(b) Gladiolus.
(c) Poppies.
(d) Carnations.

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

5. When Miss Strangeworth gets home from the grocery store, why does she not have the cup of tea she thinks about having?
(a) She had a cup earlier in the day and thinks that a second cup is too indulgent.
(b) She has forgotten to buy tea at the grocery store.
(c) She is too tired and decides to have a nap.
(d) She believes that it will spoil her appetite for her midday meal.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Miss Strangeworth is walking "daintily" along Main Street, (417), how is she walking?

2. Who is the author of "The Possibility of Evil"?

3. What do people in town assume it means when someone writes on blue paper?

4. What letter does Miss Strangeworth think about writing to the school board?

5. When Miss Strangeworth discovers how much trouble she has caused for Linda and Dave, what does she think about it?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who is Linda Stewart, and why has she been so upset?

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

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

5. 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?

6. What is ironic about Dave Harris being the one to find and deliver Miss Strangeworth's dropped letter?

7. Describe the significance of the paper that Miss Strangeworth chooses for her anonymous notes.

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

9. What does Miss Strangeworth write to Mrs. Harper, and what is she implying?

10. What is ironic about Miss Strangeworth's thoughts as she notices that various townspeople seem distressed?

(see the answer keys)

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