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

2. What mood is evoked by the detail about Miss Strangeworth's table being capable of expanding to seat 22?

3. What does Miss Strangeworth seem to think her family's place in the world is?

4. Who is Ethan Allen?

5. Which one of her neighbors does Miss Strangeworth chat with while she is checking out at the grocery store?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

"The Possibility of Evil" is studded with words like "graceful" and "dainty." Write an essay that explores the significance of this aspect of the story's diction. Support your claims with direct quotations from the story.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that explores the symbolic significance of Strangeworth House. Make sure to consider its physical characteristics, its place in town history, and the feelings that it engenders in Miss Strangeworth and others. Support your claims with evidence from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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