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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. According to Miss Strangeworth, to whom should Helen apologize?

2. What causes Miss Strangeworth to say that the Cranes' baby will expect luxury all of her life?

3. What is the best definition of "proverbial" in the sentence "Miss Strangeworth's hats were proverbial in the town" (426)?

4. What is implied about Miss Strangeworth's choice of the multicolored paper for her notes?

5. What do the people in town decide is wrong with Linda Stewart after they realize that she has not had a fight with her boyfriend?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. 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?

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

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

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 2

Once the reader is aware of the story's "twist," many of the lines in the story take on a double meaning. Write an essay that explores these double meanings and the new dimension they contribute to a repeat reading of "The Possibility of Evil." 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)

This section contains 1,115 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample