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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the author compares May to Circe and explains the comparison at length, what literary technique is he using?
(a) Hyperbole.
(b) Anaphora.
(c) Synechdoche.
(d) Conceit.

2. What are the details about the iceman's sleeves and hat intended to convey?
(a) He is trying to show respect for Miss Coulson.
(b) He is conceited and self-absorbed.
(c) He thinks that Miss Coulson may be in love with him.
(d) He has lower-class manners.

3. When Mr. Coulson asks for his "aconite," what is he asking for (333)?
(a) A wooden cane with a carved top.
(b) A hot breakfast cereal, like porridge or gruel.
(c) A religious text that provides commentary on the Bible.
(d) An herbal medicine used to treat pain and inflammation.

4. What are the "portières" that Miss Coulson is sitting near?
(a) Wall hangings.
(b) Hanging lamps.
(c) Window shutters.
(d) Curtains hung in the doorway.

5. How does Miss Coulson spend the afternoon after her conversation with her father about the cold?
(a) She works in the garden.
(b) She reads a romance book.
(c) She goes shopping.
(d) She takes a long nap.

6. After the iceman tells Miss Coulson, "It'll be a pleasure to fix things up for you any way you please," the narrator comments "Alas for May" (334). What is implied by this comment?
(a) Miss Coulson has deliberately given the iceman the wrong impression about her intentions.
(b) The iceman is flirting a little bit with Miss Coulson.
(c) Miss Coulson would not have to scheme against Mr. Coulson if it were not for the season.
(d) The iceman is mocking Miss Coulson for making such a strange request.

7. What is implied by the number of days for which Miss Coulson orders extra ice?
(a) She wants the deliveries to last until Mrs. Widdup leaves for vacation.
(b) She knows that after five days Mr. Coulson will be too irritated to talk to Mrs. Widdup at all.
(c) She thinks that she will need five days to get to know the iceman better.
(d) She thinks that the flowers will be done blooming in five days.

8. On the final morning of the story, what causes Mr. Coulson's mood to change?
(a) Mrs. Widdup has threatened to quit.
(b) It is warm again and the windows are open.
(c) Miss Coulson has told him that he is behaving badly.
(d) He is in much less pain than usual.

9. What does Miss Coulson's believe about love?
(a) That it is a pretense.
(b) That it is overpowering.
(c) That it is humiliating.
(d) That it is inconvenient.

10. According to the narrator, what does May want humans to remember?
(a) That they should be kind to one another.
(b) That they are also animals.
(c) That they are not immortal.
(d) That they should be grateful for the coming summer.

11. Why does Miss Coulson ask when Mrs. Widdup's vacation begins?
(a) She is hoping to get away from the house for a while, herself.
(b) She is wondering if Mr. Coulson will try to go away with Mrs. Widdup.
(c) She will need to make arrangements for Mr. Coulson's care.
(d) She is eager to get Mrs. Widdup away from Mr. Coulson.

12. Miss Coulson has a "lorgnette" (334). What is a lorgnette?
(a) Glasses that have a handle instead of ear-pieces.
(b) A high-necked, long-sleeved sweater.
(c) A round, flat case designed to hold medications or tobacco.
(d) A piece of jewelry used to hold a scarf or shawl closed.

13. Why is Mr. Coulson so clumsy on the afternoon after the ice is delivered?
(a) He is upset because of the cold.
(b) He is angry at Miss Coulson's meddling.
(c) He is nervous about speaking to Mrs. Widdup.
(d) He is frustrated that he has not yet been able to confess his feelings to Mrs. Widdup.

14. When "May holds up a chiding finger," (332), what is May's intention?
(a) To scold.
(b) To indicate the "first" of something.
(c) To indicate a direction.
(d) To indicate a pause.

15. The narrator says,"Pixies and flibbertigibbits haunt the budding woods" (332). What is in the woods?
(a) Tricky supernatural creatures and shallow, easily distracted people.
(b) Dangerous monsters and shallow, easily distracted people.
(c) Dangerous monsters and people with evil intentions.
(d) Tricky supernatural creatures and people with evil intentions.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of the servant who usually gives Mr. Coulson his medication?

2. What is clear in the first interaction between Mr. Coulson, Miss Coulson, and Mrs. Widdup?

3. What point is made through the juxtaposition of Mr. Coulson's and Mrs. Widdup's comments about springtime?

4. On page 334, the narrator refers to the "panoply" of Miss Coulson's "unthrilled bosom." What is the meaning of "panoply" in this context?

5. Why does Mr. Coulson tell his servant to "bring an axe" (335)?

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