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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. On what date does the story begin?
(a) August 6.
(b) April 6.
(c) August 4.
(d) April 4.

2. What does Bradbury say is like "an altar with ten-thousand attendants"?
(a) The house.
(b) The city.
(c) The incinerator.
(d) The yard.

3. What does the garage do when no one drives the car away?
(a) Uses the car horn to alert the family.
(b) Starts the car remotely.
(c) Announces again that it is time to go to work and to school.
(d) Waits and then closes again.

4. Who does the story imply is still alive in the city?
(a) The wealthy.
(b) No one.
(c) Some animals.
(d) A few scientists.

5. To what does Bradbury compare folding tables?
(a) Folded hands.
(b) Books.
(c) Butterflies.
(d) Oysters,

6. "Mr. Featherstone" is an example of what literary technique?
(a) Kenning.
(b) Paradox.
(c) Oxymoron.
(d) Epithet.

7. What is the reaction of nature to the end of human existence in the poem "There Will Come Soft Rains"?
(a) Nature is unaware and indifferent.
(b) Nature grieves the loss of humankind.
(c) Nature is puzzled and uncertain.
(d) Nature celebrates the end of humankind.

8. What is the house compared to as it burns to the ground?
(a) A bomb.
(b) A skeleton.
(c) A bonfire.
(d) A cigar.

9. Bradbury mentions that martinis "manifested" on tables. What did the martinis do?
(a) Evaporated.
(b) Sparkled.
(c) Appeared.
(d) Spilled.

10. When the fire travels outside and up the sides of the house, it is described as what?
(a) Mischievous.
(b) Overwhelming.
(c) Clever.
(d) Treacherous.

11. What is unusual about the images of the African animals?
(a) Their colors.
(b) Their shapes.
(c) Their sizes.
(d) Their faces.

12. Why does the house let the dog in?
(a) It is programmed to let in any dog or cat.
(b) It wants the dog to find the family.
(c) It is an accident.
(d) It recognizes the dog.

13. At one point, Bradbury says that the house has a "preoccupation" with self-protection. What must be true about the house?
(a) It is willing to do terrible things to protect itself.
(b) It is constantly trying to protect itself.
(c) It does not see a reason to try to protect itself.
(d) It is bored by the idea of protecting itself.

14. What is the job of the robot mice?
(a) Cleaning.
(b) Alerting the house to intruders.
(c) Entertaining the children.
(d) Entertaining the dog.

15. When the story ends, what is left standing?
(a) A distant building.
(b) A tree.
(c) Nothing.
(d) One wall of the house.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why do the robot mice come out when they do?

2. What allusion is present in the weather box's announcement of the rain?

3. Which room recreates the sights, sounds, and smells of the African savanna?

4. To what story do the robot mice allude?

5. What is the image of the west wall meant to allude to?

(see the answer keys)

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