View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What has Miss Strangeworth written to Mr. Lewis in one of her letters?

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

3. Why does Linda Stewart refuse to tell Dave Harris what was in the letter to her parents?

4. What does Miss Strangeworth seem to think her family's place in the world is?

5. Who is the original owner of Miss Strangeworth's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What evidence is there in the story that Miss Strangeworth is well-known and respected in the town?

4. What worry does Helen Crane express about her baby daughter, and how does Miss Strangeworth respond to her concerns?

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

6. Describe the significance of the paper that Miss Strangeworth chooses for her anonymous notes.

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

8. What details does Jackson provide about the interior of Miss Strangeworth's house to show the pride the family has always taken in the house?

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

10. Who is Linda Stewart, and why has she been so upset?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters can be divided into those who are "static" (characters that do not meaningfully change during the course of a story) and those who are "dynamic" (characters that do change in meaningful ways). Write an essay in which you make and defend a claim about which kind of character Miss Strangeworth is. Use textual evidence to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that examines the significance of the repetition of the phrase "lovely day" in "The Possibility of Evil." Support your claims with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Once the reader is aware of the story's "twist," many of the lines in the story take on a double meaning. Write an essay that explores these double meanings and the new dimension they contribute to a repeat reading of "The Possibility of Evil." Support your claims with direct quotations from the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 981 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample