Question

Medal!&b.R
What is the main purpose of the rising action in a short story? (Points : 3)
to provide background information about the characters
to build interest and suspense
to answer the reader's questions
to narrate the highest action, or turning point, of the story

Answer 1

2. In "The Glass of Milk," after the woman helps the boy, the author says, "she [gazes] out at the street, at a distant point in space, and her face seemed sad." What inference can readers make based on this detail? (Points : 3)
The woman feels sympathy for the boy and for people who are in similar situations.
The woman wanted someone else to help the boy.
The woman finds the boy's behavior embarrassing.
The woman dislikes the boy and wishes she hadn't helped him.


Question 3.3. James Thurber wrote which of the following kinds of literature? (Points : 3)
epic
humor
Naturalistic
horror


Question 4.4. Langston Hughes's short story "Gumption" contains the following sentence: "'You can't live on gumption,' I said, trying to be practical." This sentence is an example of __________ narration. (Points : 3)
third-person limited
first-person
third-person omniscient
second-person


Question 5.5. Select the word among the choices below that does not help build a mood of restlessness and anger.

"The boy even imagined the old man was his enemy, who knew his intentions and had decided to frustrate them. He felt like entering and saying something insulting that would force the old man to leave, a rude word or phrase that would show him he had no right to sit there reading for an hour for so small a purchase." (Points : 3)
imagined
enemy
frustrate
force


Question 6.6. How does the setting of a small town during the Great Depression affect the characters and plot of "Gumption"? (Points : 3)
The characters are wealthy and have many options for resolving conflicts.

The characters find more and more opportunities open to them and have an optimistic outlook.

The characters are poor and face conflicts that don't have simple solutions.

The characters are indifferent to their living conditions and circumstances.



Question 7.7. In "Gumption," why does Charlie Oyster's father object to the WPA men's decision to assign Charlie to a road work job rather than to a bookkeeping or typewriting job? (Points : 3)
Charlie's father thinks it is not right that Sylvester got a typewriting job when his son did not.
Charlie's father intends for his son to have a job appropriate to Charlie’s education and experience.
Charlie's father believes that Charlie can learn to use a typewriter and keep the books once he starts working.
Charlie's father wants to be sure that his son gets the best possible education.


Question 8.8. What word best describes the mood created in this sentence from "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”?

"Pick it up, brother!" snapped a cop as the light changed, and Mitty hastily pulled on his gloves and lurched ahead. (Points : 3)
pride
competition
irritation
sadness


Question 9.9. Which best summarizes the conflict and its resolution in "The Glass of Milk"? (Points : 3)
The conflict occurs between the boy and the sailors; he resolves the conflict by leaving his ship.
The conflict occurs between the boy’s competing emotions; he resolves the conflict by eating at the milk bar, then forgetting about it.
The conflict occurs between the boy and the woman at the milk bar; he resolves the conflict by forgetting about her actions.
The conflict occurs between the boy and the forces of nature; he resolves the conflict by falling asleep with his face toward the sea.


Question 10.10. In "The Piece of String," what motivates Master Maladain to tell the mayor that Master Hauchecorne took the pocketbook? (Points : 3)
Master Maladain saw Master Hauchecorne pick up the pocketbook.
Master Maladain feels ill will toward Master Hauchecorne.
Master Maladain hopes to gain the villagers' good faith.
Master Maladain wants to force the real thief to reveal himself.


Question 11.11. What is ironic about the plot of Guy de Maupassant’s "The Piece of String"? (Points : 3)
The mayor, a foolish person, unintentionally makes an extremely wise decision.
Master Maladain, a kind man, accidentally harms another character greatly.
Master Hauchecorne, a deceitful man, collapses when he cannot convince people he is telling the truth.
Master Maladain and Master Hauchecorne, once good friends, never reconcile their differences.


Question 12.12. How is "The Lady or the Tiger?" different from almost all other stories? (Points : 3)
The author uses a first-person, second-person, and third-person narrator.

The author does not give a resolution to the main conflict.

There is no theme.

There is only one main character.



Question 13.13. What can you infer about Walter Mitty from this passage?

"I want some biscuit for small, young dogs," [Walter] said to the clerk. "Any special brand, sir?" The greatest pistol shot in the world thought a moment. "It says 'Puppies Bark for It' on the box," said Walter Mitty. (Points : 3)
Walter Mitty is the greatest pistol shot in the world.

Walter Mitty is indifferent to which kind of puppy biscuits the clerk gives him.

Walter Mitty envies the world's greatest pistol shot.

Walter Mitty's fantasies sometimes mix with the events of his real life.



Question 14.14. In "To Build a Fire," the man's reaction to the advice given to him by the "old-timer" demonstrates (Points : 3)
the man's comfort in and experience with the Yukon.

the tremendous respect the man has for the "old-timer."

the dangerous nature of the man's journey.

the foolishness of the man.



Question 15.15. The author of "Gumption" uses a first-person narrator so that readers can (Points : 3)
recognize the story’s theme.
“hear” the thoughts of all characters.
experience events from the narrator's perspective.
objectively compare and contrast characters.


Question 16.16. After the first drawing in "The Lottery," Tessie Hutchinson shouts to Mr. Summers, "You didn't give him enough time to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!" Tessie’s outburst alters the story’s mood by (Points : 3)
building the tension.
adding humor.
relieving the tension.
adding irony.


Question 17.17. What is the main conflict in "To Build a Fire"? (Points : 3)
The man is in conflict with the dangers of the natural world.
The man is in conflict with the "old-timer."
The man is in conflict with other travelers in the Yukon.
The man is in conflict with his dog.


Question 18.18. One theme of "The Lottery" is that (Points : 3)
only tradition prevents people from becoming uncivilized.
apparently ordinary people can commit horrifying acts.
Tessie Hutchinson is punished for being a bad person.
small town life is friendlier than big city life.


Question 19.19. How does the setting of "The Lottery" affect the impact of that story's events on readers? (Points : 3)
The tranquil and ordinary setting prepares readers for what will happen in the story.

The tranquil and ordinary setting makes what happens in the story all the more shocking to readers.

The tranquil and ordinary setting helps readers to see the humor in the story's events.

The tranquil and ordinary setting makes the events of the story seem unoriginal and clichéd.



Question 20.20. Which event is not the climax of the story from which the event is taken? (Points : 3)
In “The Lottery,” the villagers stone Tessie Hutchinson.
In “To Build a Fire,” the man succumbs to the elements and freezes to death.
In “The Piece of String,” Hauchecorne bends over to pick up a bit of thin cord.
In "The Glass of Milk," the boy takes the glass of milk.