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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When on page 31, the narrator says of Rip that he will "eat white bread or brown," how is Rip being characterized?
(a) He only likes two kinds of bread.
(b) He is easy to please.
(c) He is unaware of what he is eating.
(d) He overeats.

2. On page 29, the setting sun causes something to light up and glow "like a crown of glory." This is an example of what literary technique?
(a) Understatement.
(b) Alliteration.
(c) Simile.
(d) Metaphor.

3. On page 30, the reader is told that Rip has an "insuperable aversion to all kinds of profitable labour." What does this mean is true about him?
(a) He hates working hard for his own material comfort and financial security.
(b) He is simply lazy.
(c) He is physically unable to do heavy labor.
(d) He is eager to work at anything that will help himself, but he does not like to help others.

4. Who is the author of "Rip Van Winkle"?
(a) Washington Irving.
(b) James Fenimore Cooper.
(c) Geoffrey Crayon.
(d) Diedrich Knickerbocker.

5. When on page 31, the narrator refers to Rip's wife's nagging as a "torrent of household eloquence," what tone is created?
(a) Ironic.
(b) Nostalgic.
(c) Maudlin.
(d) Farcical.

6. Which nation controls New York at the time when Rip and the village are introduced to the reader?
(a) The United States.
(b) Great Britain.
(c) Sweden.
(d) Holland.

7. On page 29, the narrator says that a person might have "descried" the smoke from the village. What does this mean a person might have done?
(a) Explained its details.
(b) Seen it.
(c) Complained about it.
(d) Been puzzled by it.

8. What is Rip's son's name?
(a) John.
(b) Rip.
(c) Peter.
(d) Dutch.

9. What evidence does the frame narrator give that the main story's narrator is still well-liked?
(a) There is a children's rope-skipping rhyme about him.
(b) His portrait is hung in many local schools.
(c) His picture is stamped onto new year's cakes.
(d) There is a street in New York named after him.

10. Who is the frame narrator of "Rip Van Winkle"?
(a) James Fenimore Cooper.
(b) Geoffrey Crayon.
(c) Washington Irving.
(d) Diedrich Knickerbocker.

11. Where is the village that Rip lives in?
(a) On the island of Manhattan.
(b) At the foot of the Catskill Mountains.
(c) On the Atlantic coast.
(d) At the foot of the Appalachian Mountains.

12. Why does Rip stop spending time with his friends?
(a) His wife tells him he cannot spend time with them anymore.
(b) His wife yells at them constantly.
(c) His friends move away to a bigger town.
(d) His friends decide that he is too lazy to be friends with.

13. Who is "Dame" Van Winkle?
(a) Rip's daughter.
(b) Rip's mother.
(c) Rip's wife.
(d) Rip's sister.

14. Who is Derrick Van Brummel?
(a) The schoolmaster.
(b) The owner of the village inn.
(c) The mayor.
(d) The owner of a local hotel.

15. On page 28, the reader is told that the narrator of the main story is known for "scrupulous" accuracy. What kind of accuracy is this?
(a) Demanding and critical.
(b) Thorough and honest.
(c) Approximate and imperfect.
(d) Reckless and indifferent.

Short Answer Questions

1. On page 30, the reader learns that Rip is "obsequious" and his wife is a "termagant." What can accurately be said about their relationship?

2. On page 29, the mountains are said to be "lording it over the surrounding country." This is an example of which literary technique?

3. From the description of Rip's attitude to his farm, on page 30, what can be deduced about Rip?

4. In the epigraph from Cartwright's play, to whom does the speaker swear that he will be honest?

5. Where does Rip spend time with his friends?

(see the answer keys)

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