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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. Miss Strangeworth thinks that children mocking her would be "reprehensible" (426). What would their mocking be, in her opinion?

2. What has Miss Strangeworth written to Mr. Lewis in one of her letters?

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

4. What did Tommy Lewis call Miss Strangeworth in high school?

5. What are the youngest children at the post office doing?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you explain why the events in the story's final few pages--the events that lead to Miss Strangeworth's downfall--are ironic. Use textual evidence to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about the significance of Miss Strangeworth being the last of the Strangeworths. Support your claims with evidence from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 940 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample