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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. The narrator states that all of the teachers at school claim that what element is "supposed to be a big secret" (9) in addition to one's weight?
(a) The party with which one votes.
(b) One's social security number.
(c) One's shoe size.
(d) The contents of one's report card.

2. If one wants to avoid attracting the wrath of Imogene, what action should he or she take when the teacher asks a question?
(a) Raise one's hand.
(b) Whisper the answer to Imogene.
(c) Remain quiet.
(d) Shout out the correct answer.

3. The narrator describes the traditional Christmas pageant prior to this year as "people shuffling around" (17) the stage wearing all but which of the following items?
(a) Bathrobes.
(b) Bedsheets.
(c) Sharp wings.
(d) Bent halos.

4. What task does Mother say she could do "with one hand tied behind" (16) her back?
(a) Coordinate the Christmas pageant.
(b) Take over as the chairman of the Ladies' Aid Bazaar.
(c) Run the bake sale.
(d) Run the pot-luck supper.

5. What preparations does Claude make when he brings the cat to Show-and-Tell?
(a) He gives the cat a bath.
(b) He lets the cat go hungry for two days.
(c) He shaves the cat.
(d) He dyes the cat a vibrant shade of purple.

Short Answer Questions

1. What symptom does Imogene tell the school nurse her brother Ollie has been displaying?

2. What happens to the usual coordinator of the pageant that then requires a new coordinator?

3. The narrator begins the novel by declaring that "the Herdmans were absolutely the" what "kids in the history of the world" (1)?

4. How far away from the narrator's home does the usual pageant coordinator live?

5. What part of their home do the Herdman siblings play with in order to try to hurt one another?

Short Essay Questions

1. What evidence does the narrator provide for her conclusion that it is Charlie's fault that the Herdmans get involved in the Christmas pageant?

2. Describe one particular instance of the author's use of humor and examine its effect on the reader.

3. Discuss the author's use of vivid imagery within the scene of the Herdmans' first time at Sunday school.

4. For what reason do the Herdman siblings believe they have found evidence proving Charlie's promises of food at church to be valid?

5. What simile does the narrator use to describe the way in which the Herdman children move through Woodrow Wilson School?

6. How does Mother at first feel about coordinating the Christmas pageant?

7. What happens to create several open jobs within the church during the holiday season and which jobs become vacant?

8. How does Mother come to be in charge of coordinating the pageant, rather than taking on some other role?

9. What evidence is presented in Chapter One regarding the dire nature of the Herdman family's financial situation?

10. What level of involvement had Mother expected to have in the pageant prior to taking over as coordinator?

(see the answer keys)

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