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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From which city is this preface written?
(a) Salem.
(b) London.
(c) Boston.
(d) New York.

2. What, at the end of Chapter 11, is the "only truth" for Dimmesdale?
(a) "The malice in Chillingworth's eyes."
(b) "The anguish in his inmost soul."
(c) "The mercy of almightly Heaven."
(d) "The joy in his beating heart."

3. Which character is described as having a "wildflower prettiness?"
(a) Hibbins.
(b) Hester.
(c) Chillingworth.
(d) Pearl.

4. Why do most Puritans fast, according to the narrator?
(a) To conserve food.
(b) To cure disease.
(c) To purify their bodies.
(d) To lose weight.

5. What does Hawthorne find in a "mysterious package" in the Custom-House?
(a) Hester's diary.
(b) A painting of Hester and Pearl.
(c) The scarlet letter.
(d) Dimmesdale's diary.

6. What quiets Pearl in this when she wants something from the governor's garden?
(a) Her nanny.
(b) The gardener gives her what she wants.
(c) Her obedience to Hester.
(d) The appearance of the governor.

7. What is Hester delivering to the governor's house when she goes there in Chapter 7?
(a) Lace.
(b) Bonnets.
(c) Gloves.
(d) A scarf.

8. What is one of Chillingworth's distinguishing physical features?
(a) His left eye droops.
(b) He is lame in his right leg.
(c) He is missing most of the toes on his left foot.
(d) One of his shoulders is higher than the other.

9. Which part of The Scarlet Letter does this preface specifically refer to?
(a) The climax.
(b) The denouement.
(c) "The Custom-House."
(d) "The New England Holiday,"

10. While his health is failing, Dimmesdale has achieved what in his profession?
(a) "Brillant popularity."
(b) "Populist ire."
(c) "Sturdier texture."
(d) "Sanctimonius reputation."

11. The title of Chapter 8 is the what and "the Minister?"
(a) The Elfin and the Minister.
(b) The Minstrel and the Minister.
(c) The Miniature and the Minstrel.
(d) The Elf-Child and the Minister.

12. When Wilson asks Pearl who made her, what does she answer?
(a) That Hester had made her alone.
(b) That a stork had delivered her.
(c) That Dimmesdale is her father.
(d) That her mother had picked her off a rose bush.

13. In which year was this preface written?
(a) 1950.
(b) 1750.
(c) 1800.
(d) 1850.

14. The title of Chapter 5 refers to what?
(a) Hester's love life.
(b) Hester's guilt.
(c) Hester's past.
(d) Hester's work.

15. What street runs outside the Custom-House?
(a) Main Street.
(b) Salem Road.
(c) Derby Street.
(d) High Street.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hawthorne calls the Custom House a...?

2. To whom does this description refer: "a seemingly careless arrangement of his heterogeneous garb"?

3. Which man in at the governor's argues that Hester should be allowed to keep Pearl?

4. Why is Pearl's mother questioned about whether or not she should have custody of the baby?

5. Where is Hester when she and Pearl are examined by the doctor?

(see the answer keys)

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