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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which author spoke about the gulf between consciousness and matter?

2. What is the name of Gardner's secretary?

3. The main character in the tale titled In My Boat dreams about being what age?

4. What is the name of the lumber baron?

5. What led Carson to the Witch Room?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were some of the things that could serve as proof of the threshold and what lay beyond?

2. Who are Phillip and Julian Haughtree? What is their profession? What happens to Julian? What is the cause of Julian's issue? What happens to Julian regarding medical care?

3. After Al and Cissie sail off aboard the yacht, they disappear from the scene. What has happened to Al and Cissie?

4. What happens when Cousin Frank Osborne arrives? Who is the first to disappear? What is determined by Willie?

5. Why is Willie sent to Uncle Fred and Aunt Lucy's farm? What does Willie find that frightens him?

6. Who are the main characters in the story In My Boat? Who is the protagonist? Where did the characters meet?

7. Paul Lang learns about an ancient manuscript called the Voynich. What does Lang do when he cannot find a copy of the text?

8. Who is Dr. Ambrose Dexter? Why is he important in the story? What does Fiske find when he meets Dexter?

9. What happens to the writer's translator friend when he begins to read the Latin text of De Vermis Mysteriis?

10. In the story Cold Print, the main character is Strutt. Who is Strutt? What is his personality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some authors choose to weave history throughout their stories to make them more believable. For example, in "The Salem Horror" the author, Henry Kuttner, uses the Salem Witch Trials as a background for the story involving Carson. In "The Black Stone," Robert Howard uses the history of the Huns and their invasion of Hungary as a backdrop and explanation for the enchanted monolith. Examine why authors use historical references in their stories. Do you think the references help or hinder the stories? Do you think the choices of locations help the stories? Explain. Also verify the facts used in each story.

Essay Topic 2

In several stories inanimate objects are linked to some force of evil. Examples of the inanimate objects include the Black Stone in "The Black Stone," the Shining Trapezohedron in "The Haunter of the Dark" and "The Shadow from the Steeple," and the statuette in "The Call of Cthulhu." Discuss the possibility of evil being linked to an inanimate object. Is it possible? Is the item enchanted? How could it happen? Are any of the items able to be destroyed? Explain. How does each item affect the characters in the stories? How do the characters change once they come into contact with the objects? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Various cults are mentioned in the stories including the "nameless cults." Discuss cults as they relate to the tales. Who is involved in each cult? What is the fascination involved with studying cults? Which characters seem to be most interested in learning about cults and their rituals? What type of worship is demanded by the cult leaders? How do characters change once they become involved with a cult?

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