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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what do Mary and Ned attribute the great beauty they see in England?
(a) Their own hatred for the American Midwest.
(b) Its small size.
(c) New places always seem attractive at first.
(d) Its history.

2. For the past week, what has Mary been assuming is the cause for Ned's need to be alone and his odd mood?
(a) She thinks that he has seen the ghost.
(b) She thinks that his book is not going very well.
(c) She thinks that he misses having a regular job to go to.
(d) She thinks that he regrets moving to England.

3. Ned asks Alida a question about the ghost's "signalement" (84). What is he asking about?
(a) Its movements and habits.
(b) Its physical description.
(c) Its background.
(d) Its motivations.

4. Which character opens the story on page 83 by saying "Oh, there is one, of course, but you'll never know it"?
(a) Alida Stair.
(b) Ned Boyne.
(c) Mary Boyne.
(d) Trimmle.

5. What does Mary find in the envelope addressed to her?
(a) An anonymous note.
(b) A photograph.
(c) A newspaper clipping.
(d) A letter from Parvis.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ned's motive seem to be when he first brings up the subject of whether the house has a ghost?

2. Why does Mary believe that people should not talk about seeing ghosts?

3. In section "V," who comes to visit Mary?

4. On page 95, Mary mentions the "fun of the frisson." What is a frisson?

5. After Mary thinks more about the house and its ghost, what does she begin to wonder?

Short Essay Questions

1. After she finds out that he has gone out with the mysterious man and not yet returned, why is Mary immediately alarmed?

2. How has Ned's mood changed on the morning after he and Mary first discussed the Blue Star lawsuit, and what does Mary believe changed his mood?

3. In the narrative present at the beginning of the story, where is Mary and what is she doing?

4. On the day of his disappearance, what is so frustrating for Mary about her conversation with her staff about where Ned is?

5. In the beginning of section "IV," how much time has elapsed since Ned's disappearance, and what has been happening in that time?

6. What horrifying chain of events does Mary understand once she sees Bob Elwell's picture?

7. What draws the Boynes to England?

8. Describe the emotional condition that Mary is in in section "IV" of the story.

9. What do Mary and Ned plan to do with their time at Lyng?

10. What does Alida Stair tell the Boynes about Lyng?

(see the answer keys)

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