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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the subtitle of "The Custom-House"?
(a) Introductory to The Scarlet Letter.
(b) A Preface.
(c) A Play in Four Acts.
(d) A Novel of Morals.

2. How does Hester dress her daughter?
(a) In the "richest tissue."
(b) In "rustic weeds."
(c) In "infinite variety."
(d) In "paler loveliness."

3. Hawthorne surmises that if there were a Papist in the crowd, whom would Hester remind him of?
(a) The Virgin Mary.
(b) Mary Magdalene.
(c) The pope.
(d) Mother Theresa.

4. Chillingworth is described as which of the following in Chapter 11?
(a) Mage.
(b) Warlock.
(c) Spellcaster.
(d) Magician.

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

6. What symbol of the United States hands in front of the Custom-House?
(a) Uncle Sam.
(b) Apple pie.
(c) An eagle.
(d) The stars and stripes.

7. The title of Chapter 9 ("The Leech") refers to which character?
(a) Hester.
(b) Chilingworth.
(c) Dimmesdale.
(d) Pearl.

8. One person suggest that Hester should have an iron brand burned where?
(a) On her chest.
(b) On her forehead.
(c) On her cheek.
(d) On the palms of her hands.

9. In what point of view is "The Custom House" written?
(a) Third person, limited.
(b) Second.
(c) First.
(d) Third person, omniscient.

10. Which character seeks to make him or herself "the one trusted friend, to whom should be confided all the fear"?
(a) Hibbins.
(b) Dimmesdale.
(c) Wilson.
(d) Chillingworth.

11. What distinguishes the men in the "throng" at the beginning of thChapter 1?
(a) They are ministers.
(b) They are bearded.
(c) They are fat.
(d) They are bald.

12. What is the health problem wrong with Dimmesdale?
(a) Tuberculosis.
(b) Failing health.
(c) Failing eyesight.
(d) Scoliosis.

13. Chillingworth has a degree from a university in which country?
(a) Italy.
(b) France.
(c) Germany.
(d) Holland.

14. What was the door to the jail made of?
(a) Birch.
(b) Maple.
(c) Oak.
(d) Mahogany.

15. What is one of Chillingworth's distinguishing physical features?
(a) His left eye droops.
(b) One of his shoulders is higher than the other.
(c) He is lame in his right leg.
(d) He is missing most of the toes on his left foot.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character says, ironically, "why should a wretched man, guilty, we will say, of murder, prefer to keep the dead corpse buried in his own heart, rather than fling it forth at once"?

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

3. Whose widow is Mistress Hibbins?

4. Who is the patient referred to in the title of Chapter 10?

5. Whose voice is "tremulously sweet, rich, deep and broken?"

(see the answer keys)

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