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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Miss Strangeworth think that she has a right to eavesdrop on Linda Stewart at the post office?

2. Why does Linda Stewart refuse to tell Dave Harris what was in the letter to her parents?

3. Why does Miss Strangeworth feel so certain that the children in front of the post office will be respectful toward her?

4. What detail is included to show that Miss Chandler is upset about something?

5. Why does Miss Strangeworth refer to the Cranes' baby as "her highness" (421)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the setting of the story "The Possibility of Evil."

2. What details in the story let the reader know that Miss Strangeworth herself does not believe some of the accusations she is making?

3. 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?

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

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

6. Which writing utensils does Miss Strangeworth have available, and which one does she choose for her anonymous notes?

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

8. Describe the exterior of Miss Strangeworth's house.

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

10. What evidence is there in the story that Miss Strangeworth is well-known and respected in the town?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look up the psychological concept of "projection." Then, write an essay that affirms, refutes, or qualifies the following claim: "The Possibility of Evil" is at its heart a story about the consequences of projection. Support your claims with both textual evidence and evidence from reliable outside sources; cite all sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

Characters can be divided into those who are "static" (characters that do not meaningfully change during the course of a story) and those who are "dynamic" (characters that do change in meaningful ways). Write an essay in which you make and defend a claim about which kind of character Miss Strangeworth is. Use textual evidence to support your claims.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that explores the symbolic significance of Miss Strangeworth's habit of burning notes that are not perfect. Offer evidence from the story to support your claims.

(see the answer keys)

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