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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What area is the ibis native to?
(a) The American South.
(b) South America to Florida
(c) Canada and the American North.
(d) Africa.

2. What deadline do Doodle and Brother set for Doodle's physical training?
(a) They want to be done by the time Doodle starts school.
(b) They want to be done by springtime.
(c) They want to be done by Christmas.
(d) They want to be done by Doodle's seventh birthday.

3. Even though it seems hopeless, why does Brother say he keeps trying to teach Doodle to walk?
(a) Love.
(b) Anger.
(c) Pity.
(d) Pride.

4. Who is the author of "The Scarlet Ibis"?
(a) William Armstrong.
(b) James Hurst.
(c) Robert Graves.
(d) Sara Teasdale.

5. What happens when Brother begins to dance Aunt Nicey around after they reveal that Doodle can walk?
(a) Mama tells him to stop immediately.
(b) She steps hard on his toe.
(c) Aunt Nicey falls down.
(d) Doodle starts to imitate them.

6. Who claims that dead birds are bad luck?
(a) Mama.
(b) Daddy.
(c) Aunt Nicey.
(d) Doodle.

7. What explanation does Daddy offer for the ibis's behavior?
(a) The bird is far from its usual habitat.
(b) It has been injured by the storm.
(c) It is tired, or sick.
(d) It does not seem to be able to see very well.

8. In the first sentence of the story, what meaning does "clove" have in "It was in the clove of seasons" (1)?
(a) One section of a bulb of garlic.
(b) A dried flower bud that is also a spice.
(c) The past tense of "cleave."
(d) The space between the two parts of an animal's hoof.

9. What is "Brother's" first reaction to Doodle?
(a) Excitement.
(b) Anger.
(c) Disappointment.
(d) Pity.

10. When is the story being told?
(a) Some years after the events of the story take place.
(b) In the winter, after Doodle dies.
(c) Immediately after the events of the story take place.
(d) At the end of Brother's life.

11. When Mama tells Brother that she is afraid that Doodle might not be "all there," what is Brother's response (2)?
(a) He decides to kill Doodle.
(b) He tells her that they will have to wait and see.
(c) He says that he will love Doodle anyway.
(d) He asks if that is what the doctor said.

12. What is the narrative point of view of "The Scarlet Ibis"?
(a) First person.
(b) Third person omniscient.
(c) Second person.
(d) Third person limited.

13. When Brother finally decides to treat Doodle like a brother, where does he take him for the first time?
(a) Horsehead Landing.
(b) Old Woman Swamp.
(c) The cottonfield.
(d) The family graveyard.

14. What Biblical event does Aunt Nicey mention when the boys tell the family that they have a big surprise for them?
(a) The Resurrection.
(b) Noah being swallowed by a "great fish."
(c) Adam and Eve eating the apple.
(d) The Flood.

15. Just before they notice the ibis, what does Doodle contradict Brother about?
(a) He says that he heard a rain-frog.
(b) He says that he will be ready to help harvest the cotton.
(c) He says that the other boys in school will not care if he is different.
(d) He says that they are done with his physical training.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Brother says that the smell of the graveyard flowers is coming through their windows and "speaking softy the names of our dead" (1), this is an example of which literary technique?

2. On what does Brother blame his cruelty toward Doodle?

3. Who is the only person who does not like the name "Doodle"?

4. What does the doctor say about Doodle trying to move around?

5. What is the "caul" that Doodle is born with?

(see the answer keys)

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