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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 fail to notice the important detail about her letters?

2. Helen Crane looks at her baby with "rapt wonder" (421). How is she looking at the baby?

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

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

5. Who is Ethan Allen?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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 in which you make and defend a claim about the significance of food-related details in "The Possibility of Evil." Be sure to support your ideas with textual evidence.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample