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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. Miss Strangeworth thinks that people everywhere are "degraded" (425). What does this mean that she thinks about people?
(a) They are easily led into evil actions.
(b) They have fallen below the standards of moral, civilized life.
(c) They try to sneak around and do bad things without getting caught.
(d) They can be ranked according to how good or bad they are.

2. Why does Miss Strangeworth fail to notice the important detail about her letters?
(a) Linda Stewart begins sobbing again.
(b) One of the younger children bumps into her.
(c) She is busy thinking about sending a letter to Dave Harris's father.
(d) She notices that a car has turned down the street and is getting close.

3. Miss Strangeworth stops to discuss an "appropriation" with Miss Chandler (422). What are they talking about?
(a) Money set aside for some purpose.
(b) A meeting of an official organization or group.
(c) Something that has been taken without permission.
(d) A policy statement.

4. What is the best definition of "proverbial" in the sentence "Miss Strangeworth's hats were proverbial in the town" (426)?
(a) As inflexible and unchanging as something from a proverb.
(b) As well-known and widely understood as something from a proverb.
(c) As old-fashioned as something from a proverb.
(d) As clear and easy to understand as something from a proverb.

5. What is the longest time that Miss Strangeworth has been away from her town?
(a) She has never left it.
(b) One day.
(c) One month.
(d) One week.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Linda says "Catch old lady Strangeworth sending anybody a check," (427), what is she implying?

2. Who planted the roses outside Miss Strangeworth's house?

3. What letter does Miss Strangeworth think about writing to the school board?

4. The narrator says that Miss Strangeworth's letters "dealt with the more negotiable stuff of suspicion" (424). What is this saying about suspicion?

5. What is the purpose of including the details about how many people Miss Strangeworth talks to on her trip to the grocery store?

Short Essay Questions

1. What details in the story let the reader know that Miss Strangeworth herself does not believe some of the accusations she is making?

2. Describe the exterior of Miss Strangeworth's house.

3. Describe the setting of the story "The Possibility of Evil."

4. What does Miss Strangeworth write to Mrs. Foster about her upcoming surgery, and what is she implying?

5. What is ironic about Dave Harris being the one to find and deliver Miss Strangeworth's dropped letter?

6. Describe Miss Strangeworth's feelings about her roses.

7. Which writing utensils does Miss Strangeworth have available, and which one does she choose for her anonymous notes?

8. Describe the main character of "The Possibility of Evil."

9. What does Miss Strangeworth write to Mrs. Harper, and what is she implying?

10. What does the green letter at the end of the story say, and what does it imply?

(see the answer keys)

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