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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the devil say that he has a right to cut wood on this land?
(a) He says that the owner sold it to him.
(b) He says that he owns the soul of its owner.
(c) He says that the entire earth belongs to him.
(d) He says that it belonged to him long before Europeans came to North America.

2. In the version of the story that the narrator says is most likely to be true, what draws Tom's attention to the tree where his wife's apron hangs?
(a) Her name scratched into the bark of the tree.
(b) The sound of crows calling.
(c) An eerie red light.
(d) The tree is encircled with snakes.

3. What does Tom's wife take with her when she goes into the swamp for the second time?
(a) A rifle.
(b) Their horse.
(c) A Bible.
(d) All of their valuables.

4. Why does Tom's wife go into the swamp, looking for the devil?
(a) She wants to argue for more money.
(b) She does not believe Tom and wants to see for herself.
(c) She wants to strike the bargain with him herself.
(d) She wants to tell the devil to stay away from her husband.

5. When the narrator refers to Tom's parsimony, what characteristic is being discussed?
(a) Trickery.
(b) Hypocrisy.
(c) Evil.
(d) Cheapness.

6. To what does the narrator compare the sound of Tom's carriage wheels?
(a) The clinking of coins.
(b) The creaking of the trees in the swamp.
(c) The laughter of the devil.
(d) The souls of his clients.

7. Why does the narrator say that only Tom Walker would have the nerve to stop at the Native stronghold in the sawmp?
(a) The area is overrun with snakes and alligators.
(b) Other townspeople have seen the devil there.
(c) The area is still frequented by a hostile Native tribe.
(d) There is a rumor that the Natives worshiped the devil there.

8. What do Tom's neighbors do about the constant fighting in the Walker house?
(a) They ignore it.
(b) They call the police.
(c) They stop in to try to find out what is wrong.
(d) They ask Tom about it privately.

9. What is the third thing that Tom does in an attempt to escape his bargain?
(a) Changes his name.
(b) Has his horse buried upside down.
(c) Converts to an anabaptist sect.
(d) Burns his house to the ground.

10. The narrator says that the timing for Tom's business is propitious. What kind of timing would this be?
(a) In advance of need.
(b) Unlucky.
(c) Too late to make a difference.
(d) Favorable.

11. How does Tom treat his most needy clients?
(a) He mocks them and is openly rude.
(b) He breaks the rules of his bargain with the devil to help them.
(c) He pretends that he will help them, then refuses to do business with them.
(d) He takes advantage of their need to drive especially hard bargains with them.

12. What significant event happened in Massachusetts in 1727?
(a) A flood.
(b) A hurricane.
(c) An earthquake.
(d) A fire.

13. What mark does the devil leave on Tom?
(a) A red mark in the shape of an axe.
(b) A black fingerprint.
(c) An upside-down cross.
(d) A claw mark.

14. Why does Tom tell his wife about his meeting with the devil?
(a) He is uneasy about the meeting and needs to tell someone what happened.
(b) He and his wife have no secrets from one another.
(c) The devil said that he would only make the bargain if Tom told his wife.
(d) He is hoping that his wife will take his place in his bargain with the devil.

15. What is Tom doing at the office on his last day?
(a) Buying the land the swamp sits on.
(b) Selling his business.
(c) Accepting an offer to run for governor.
(d) Foreclosing a mortgage.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word does the narrator use twice to describe the situation of Tom's clients?

2. What does Tom notice about the tallest trees in the swamp?

3. What does the narrator say that savin trees symbolize?

4. What does the narrator compare Tom's clients to?

5. Tom agrees to become a usurer. What job is he saying he will do?

(see the answer keys)

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