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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whose widow is Mistress Hibbins?
(a) The magistrate's.
(b) The narrator's.
(c) The minister's.
(d) The governor's.

2. How many years after the founding of Boston does Chapter 1 take place?
(a) Approximately 90 or 100.
(b) Approximately 15 or 20.
(c) Approximately 150 or more.
(d) Approximately 50 or 60.

3. What are the "delicate gems" referred to at the end of Chapter 1?
(a) The spikes on the door to the jail.
(b) Hester's pearl necklace.
(c) The ladies in the crowd.
(d) Flowers.

4. How does Hawthorne metaphorically refer to the United States government in "The Custom House"?
(a) Uncle Sam.
(b) The golden eagle.
(c) Washington.
(d) Big brother.

5. Hawthorne calls the Custom House a...?
(a) Portrait of the Puritans.
(b) Sketch of official life.
(c) Picture of the colony.
(d) Sketch of old-time Salem.

Short Answer Questions

1. What prominent wild plant grows just outside the door to the jail?

2. How old is the baby in Hester's arms when we first see her?

3. In which year was this preface written?

4. The tone of this preface is best described as...

5. By what moniker does Hawthorne name the Custom-House building itself?

(see the answer key)

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