Short Story Test

Short stories weren't in its own category until when?

1800s

When was the "boom time" for short stories?

1st half of the twentieth century

Short stories are _____ works of fiction

Brief

Who was the first acknowledged master and critic of short stories?

Edgar Allan Poe

True or false? You can NOT win prizes and make a living as a short story writer.

False. You can

How short is brief?

It has no set length, but generally shorter than a novel

Why were short stories needed during the first half of the 20th century?

Magazines were being established rapidly-needed content Huge talent pool

What is Jason Ashgrove's position at Moreton Wold and Company? a. Advertising copywriter b. Established Staff c. Security guard d. Manufacturer of Oat Crisps

a. Advertising copywriter

Which of the following sentences is most likely to build a sense of rising action? a. But that was not the real reason. b. Gaunt and sooty, Grimes Buildings lurched up the side of a hill toward Clerkenwell. c. Darkness infested the building like a flight of bats returning to roost. d. "All papers into cases, please," the voice warned, five minutes later.

a. But that was not the real reason.

Which of the following best describes Mr. Johnson's attitude and appearance in the opening paragraph of the story? a. He seems completely satisfied with himself and the day b. The weather makes him happy, but his feet hurt c. He feels very good, but the sky looks ominous d. He was optimistic about the day but slightly embarrassed by his tie, which was too bright

a. He seems completely satisfied with himself and the day

For Meimei, what is the real importance of chess "as a game of secrets in which one must show and never tell"? a. It is a strategy she will use in dealing with other situations in life. b. She will now be able to win at other games. c. She will become the youngest grandmaster. d. She will never reveal her true feelings about her life in Chinatown.

a. It is a strategy she will use in dealing with other situations in life.

Why does Montresor warn Fortunato about the air in the vaults? a. Montresor wants to make sure that Fortunato does not suspect his motives. b. Montresor wants to discourage Fortunato from entering the vaults. c. Montresor wants to avoid responsibility for Fortunato's death. d. Montresor wants to warn Fortunato that death is near.

a. Montresor wants to make sure that Fortunato does not suspect his motives

Why does Mr. Johnson assume that Miss Kent and Mr. Adams will go somewhere together instead of just taking his money and going to work? a. Mr. Adams thinks of running off, but he stops to ask Mr. Johnson about it. b. They have already agreed to go somewhere together. c. Miss Kent looks too honest to take someone's money. d. Mr. Adams assumes the money is counterfeit so he would not benefit by running off.

a. Mr. Adams thinks of running off, but he stops to ask Mr. Johnson about it.

The ending of the story comes as a surprise because a. Mr. Johnson seems so genuinely pleasant and the title has told us that this is an ordinary day. b. the narrator had not indicated that Mr. Johnson was married. c. after being nice all day, Mr. Johnson is unpleasant to his wife. d. Readers still expect Mr. Johnson to arrive at his office building.

a. Mr. Johnson seems so genuinely pleasant and the title has told us that this is an ordinary day.

How does Meimei feel about her mother's involvement in her success? a. Resentful b. Proud c. Happy d. Disgusted

a. Resentful or d. Disgusted

Why is it ironic that "she emerged from the beautiful house and fell in love with a bag boy at the supermarket"? a. The sentence makes love seem trivial. b. She had not wanted to leave the house at all. c. A bag boy at the supermarket is a foolish character. d. The sentence is not true.

a. The sentence makes love seem trivial. or b. She had not wanted to leave the house at all.

How are Montresor and Fortunato alike? a. They share an interest in fine wine. b. They have an affection for each other. c. They both have respect for Luchesi. d. They both have a revengeful nature.

a. They share an interest in fine wine.

After they leave the building, Ashgrove stands undecided until he hears a. a bicycle bell. b. Miss Golden's bus leave. c. a siren wailing on the river. d. a scream from the Grimes Buildings.

a. a bicycle bell

Mr. Johnson has a difficult time catching a taxi because a. he allows other people who are in more of a hurry to go first. b. the traffic is so heavy. c. there are few taxis passing by. d. other people keep pushing him aside

a. he allows other people who are in more of a hurry to go first.

A story's climax is its a. highest point of action or interest. b. rising action through development. c. ending. d. message or theme.

a. highest point of action or interest.

The girl likes to shop for groceries because a. she can be alone with her thoughts. b. she hopes to meet someone. c. she plans to run away. d. she can make her parents regret their actions.

a. she can be alone with her thoughts

When the narrator says to Fortunato, "I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter," he is appealing to Fortunato's __. a. vanity b. humility c. expertise d. pragmatism

a. vanity

What does the following passage represent? "He was looking into two eyes carved out of expressionless air; he was held by two hands knotted together out of the width of dark." a. The climax of the story b. A description ofWilliam Heron c. A description of Miss Golden d. A prediction of death

b. A description ofWilliam Heron

Why does Meimei's mother buy her a small bag of plums? a. As a reward for completing her weekly chores b. As a reward for practicing the art of invisible strength c. Because Meimei requested them d. Because Meimei won a chess tournament

b. As a reward for practicing the art of invisible strength

Which of the following sentences from the story could have hinted at the surprise ending, if you had been looking for hints? a. He remembered to fill his pockets with candy and peanuts, and then he set out to get himself uptown. b. He did not follow the same route every morning, but preferred to pursue his eventful way in wide detours, more like a puppy than a man intent upon business. c. "Nothing at al1." said Mr. Johnson gallantly. "Where in Vermont are you going?" d. He tried his winning smile on her but it did no more than keep her, he suspected, from knocking him down again.

b. He did not follow the same route every morning, but preferred to pursue his eventful way in wide detours, more like a puppy than a man intent upon business.

What seems to motivate most of Mr. Johnson's actions? a. He is a busybody who can't resist getting involved in people's affairs. b. He is genuinely helpful and friendly. c. He is insecure and needs to interact with strangers to boost his self-esteem. d. He is jobless and has to stay out of the house all day so his wife won't find out.

b. He is genuinely helpful and friendly.

Which aspect of the carnival season is most important to the events of the story? a. Hundreds of people attend the event. b. It is a time of wild madness and excess. c. People wear fantastic costumes in the streets. d. The damp weather at that time of year causes colds and coughs.

b. It is a time of wild madness and excess

What is the real significance of Meimei's success for her mother? a. She is instrumental in helping her daughter learn the chess rules. b. Meimei achieves the success within the American system that her mother cannot. c. Meimei is offered a scholarship. d. Meimei's success enhances the family's status in their village in China.

b. Meimei achieves the success within the American system that her mother cannot.

Why does Meimei find Mrs. Jong's behavior in the shops so embarrassing? a. People don't recognize Meimei even after Mrs. Jong tells them who she is. b. Meimei feels she is being paraded around to make her mother look good. c. Mrs. Jong talks very loudly and attracts too much attention. d. Meimei would rather be playing chess and resents the time spent away from the game.

b. Meimei feels she is being paraded around to make her mother look good.

When the bag boy and the girl meet again. they don't speak. Why not? a. She is angry with him for not having called. b. People sometimes don't act on their desires. c. They deCide that they hate each other. d. They know that the relationship will not work.

b. People sometimes don't act on their desires.

Which of the following details would lead you to predict that something strange is going on in the Grimes Buildings? a. Although the buUding is designed to admit light to each office, darkness is prevalent. b. The timed, insistent loudspeaker announcements seem odd. c. Letters, invoices, and discarded copy are stacked neatly. d. The chimes from St. Biddulph's-on-the-Wall can be heard more clearly than St. Paul's.

b. The timed, insistent loudspeaker announcements seem odd

Why is the narrator happy to meet Fortunato? a. To invite him to share the Amontillado b. To put into effect his plan for revenge c. To attend the carnival together d. To invite him to see the catacombs

b. To put into effect his plan for revenge

Which of the following excerpts contributes most to the mood of the story? a. It was about dusk. one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. b. We passed through a range of low arches. descended, passed on, and descended again, arrived at a deep crypt ... c. "It is this," I answered, producing from beneath the folds of my roquelaure a trowel. d. I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave.

b. We passed through a range of low arches. descended, passed on, and descended

Understanding how a writer contrasts two characters helps the reader a. choose sides. b. follow the conflict in the story. c. follow the central idea in the story. d. see who wins.

b. follow the conflict in the story.

The fact that Mr. Johnson purposely tries "his winning smile" on Miss Kent indicates that a. he has seen other people use this technique. b. he uses this technique on other people to get his way. c. Miss Kent has just tried her winning smile on him. d. he thinks that Miss Kent is about to knock him down again.

b. he uses this technique on other people to get his way.

Miss Golden tries to avoid discussing the secret of the offices because a. she is attracted to Ashgrove. b. she is frightened of the secret. c. she fears they will not finish the Oat Crisp work on time. d. she does not yet know him well enough for such a disclosure.

b. she is frightened of the secret.

When the narrator says that it was not safe for the girl's parents to know her inner thoughts. she means a. the parents did not care about the girl. b. the girl felt that her parents could not understand her. c. the parents might have forbidden her trips to the supermarket. d. the parents were unaware of the dangers of the new city.

b. the girl felt that her parents could not understand her. or c. the parents might have forbidden her trips to the supermarket.

Which quotation best illustrates Montresor's true character? a. ~A draft of this Medoc will defend us from the damps." b. ~My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking today." c. "I must not only punish but punish with impunity." d. "And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own."

c. "I must not only punish but punish with impunity."

When Miss Golden finally explains the mystery, why is it necessary that Jason and she resolve the dilemma? a. He will be fired for being in the Grimes Buildings after dark. b. They must find a way to restore Jason's youth. c. All who see the ghost die within five days. d. They cannot marry until the spirits are satisfied.

c. All who see the ghost die within five days.

Who is Miss Golden? a. Mr. Manaby's assistant b. William Heron's daughter c. Ashgrove's secretary d. Miss Bell's niece

c. Ashgrove's secretary

Why is the sleeping mother amused by Mr. Johnson? a. He is feeding candy to her children. b. He is surrounded by pigeons who are eating his peanuts. c. He appears to be a kind, harmless gentleman who has watched over her children. d. He is carrying her children around on his shoulders, making them laugh.

c. He appears to be a kind, harmless gentleman who has watched over her children.

Why does she want to see the bag boy again? a. She enjoys making him feel uncomfortable. b. She is attracted to his physical appearance. c. His awkwardness contrasts with her perfect house. d. She knows it would annoy her parents.

c. His awkwardness contrasts with her perfect house

Choose the order in which these events happen in the story. I. Meimei learns about opening chess moves. II. Vincent receives a chess set. III. Meimei's brothers lose their interest in chess. IV. Meimei uses her Life Savers as replacements for the missing chess pieces. a. I. III, II, IV b. I. IV, II, III c. II, IV, I, III d. III, I. IV, II

c. II, IV, I, III

Why does Meimei tell her mother she doesn't want to play in the local tournament because "they would have American rules"? a. She doesn't understand the American rules. b. She's afraid of losing the tournament. c. It's really a strategy so her mother will let her play. d. It's a strategy to avoid traveling far from home.

c. It's really a strategy so her mother will let her play.

Which of the following is an example of a concession made by Meimei's family so that she can practice chess? a. Mrs. Jong teaches Meimei the art of invisible strength. b. Mrs. Jong agrees not to throw the instruction book away. c. Meimei's brothers sleep in a bed in the living room. d. Mrs. Jong allows Meimei to go home from the market by herself.

c. Meimei's brothers sleep in a bed in the living room.

The skeletons in the walls of the catacombs are the remains of a. carnival merrymakers. b. Montresor family enemies. c. Montresor's ancestors. d. Montresor's disobedient servants.

c. Montresor's ancestors.

Why does Meimei describe visiting the shops with her mother on market days as "the one duty I couldn't avoid"? a. She would rather be playing with her brothers. b. She hates the crowded market. c. She doesn't enjoy the outing because she's embarrassed by her mother's behavior. d. She had to skip a chess tournament in order to go shopping with her mother.

c. She doesn't enjoy the outing because she's embarrassed by her mother's behavior.

Why does the staff leave promptly each day at five o'clock? a. The design of the building makes it dark by five. b. It is Directorial policy to keep work areas neat. c. The office building is supposedly haunted. d. Invoices and statistical abstracts are kept secret.

c. The office building is supposedly haunted.

When Jason and Miss Golden return to the Grimes Buildings, what will most likely happen? a. They will meet the ghosts and flee. b. They will meet their deaths because of the curse. c. They will somehow unite the lost lovers. d. They will hear the ghosts but see nothing.

c. They will somehow unite the lost lovers.

Why does Meimei's mother believe it's important for her daughter to figure out the chess rules herself? a. To beat her brother at the game b. To retain her Chinese heritage c. To compete successfully in America d. To become a national chess champion

c. To compete successfully in America

When the narrator of "Checkouts" says, "It is a difficult work. suffering. and in its own way. a kind of art," she means the girl is a. becoming ill after the move. b. trying to adjust but failing. c. exaggerating her grief. d. hoping to become an artist

c. exaggerating her grief.

Mr. Johnson helps Miss Kent and Mr. Adams by a. introducing them to each other. b. showing them how to get someone's attention on a busy sidewalk. c. pointing out that they should take time to enjoy themselves. d. giving them money, which they both need very much.

c. pointing out that they should take time to enjoy themselves

The word that best describes the mood of "The Cask of Amontillado" is __. a. hysterical b.dramatic c. suspenseful d. depressing

c. suspenseful

In the first remark from Jason to Miss Golden, he asks her about the five o'clock policy. This fact leads one to predict a. that the characters will soon fall in love. b. that Jason's curiosity will lead him into trouble. c. that the plot will follow the mystery of the policy. d. that Jason's rebellious nature will create a central conflict.

c. that the plot will follow the mystery of the policy.

How do Meimei and her brothers view the Chinatown alley where they live? a. As a dull and spiritless place b. As a frightening place c. As an impoverished environment d. As a place of adventure

d. As a place of adventure

Miss Golden is crisp and formal until a. Ashgrove asks what she wants for her birthday to get her to talk. b. Ashgrove recites a couple of rude and witty rhymes when he is annoyed. c. Ashgrove hints that he'll ask her out for coffee if she'll share the secret. d. Ashgrove says he'll do something desperate if she doesn't tell.

d. Ashgrove says he'll do something desperate if she doesn't tell.

How does this passage hint that Mr. Johnson is not what he seems? "You take that ten dollars and I'll give you another ten dollars to go with it, and you go right ahead and bet that money on any Thursday on any horse that has a nameindicating ... let me see, Thursday ... well, grain. Or any growing food." a. It tells us that Mr. Johnson gambles. though we haven't seen him gambling. b. It indicates that Mr. Johnson is superstitious, though he has not displayed superstitious behaviors prior to this. c. It reveals a knowledge of mythology and astrology. d. It reveals an apparent approval of and knowledge about betting on horses, which does not seem to fit with the behaviors we have seen so far.

d. It reveals an apparent approval of and knowledge about betting on horses, which does not seem to fit with the behaviors we have seen so far

Which of the following statements represents the principal cause of conflict between Meimei and Mrs. Jong? a. Meimei wears her hair in pigtails; Mrs. Jong keeps hers short. b. Meimei knows how to play chess; Mrs. Jong does not. c. Meimei dislikes going with her mother to the shops; Mrs. Jong enjoys taking Meimei with her. d. Meimei understands and wants to live by "American rules"; Mrs. Jong does not.

d. Meimei understands and wants to live by "American rules"; Mrs. Jong does not.

What leads Mr. Johnson to offer to pay Miss Kent for her time? a. Miss Kent is crying when Mr. Johnson encounters her on the sidewalk. b. Miss Kent is dressed so poorly that Mr. Johnson assumes she really needs the money. c. Miss Kent wrongly assumes Mr. Johnson is a beggar; he wants to set her straight. d. Miss Kent expresses concern about being late and not getting paid.

d. Miss Kent expresses concern about being late and not getting paid.

Which of the following represents a generational conflict between Meimei and her mother? a. Meimei Is allowed to leave rice in her bowl; her brothers must empty their bowls. b. Meimei is allowed to learn chess in spite of the fact that she is a girl. c. Mrs. Jong's EngUsh is less fluent than Meimei's. d. Mrs. Jong is angry when Meimei appears to show disrespect toward her

d. Mrs. Jong is angry when Meimei appears to show disrespect toward her

Why does Meimei's mother tell Vincent to throw the chess set away? a. She cannot play chess. b. She wants Vincent to spend more time studying. c. She thinks the gift is too extravagant. d. She is too proud to accept charity.

d. She is too proud to accept charity.

In the following passage, what motivates Mr. Johnson to choose this particular man? "Finally, from half a block away, he saw what he wanted, and moved out into the center of the traffic to intercept a young man, who was hurrying, and dressed as though he had awakened late, and frowning." a. The man looks successful, which makes Mr. Johnson want to introduce him to Miss Kent. b. The man bumps into Mr. Johnson, just as Miss Kent did. c. The man is sloppily dressed and Mr. Johnson wants to stop him from going to his office, where he would look foolish. d. The man looks hurried and Mr. Johnson wants to get him to relax

d. The man looks hurried and Mr. Johnson wants to get him to relax

In which of the following passages do descriptive details create an eerie, suspenseful mood? a. The wine sparkled in his eyes ... b. The cold is merely nothing. c. It was about dusk ... d. There was then a long and obstinate silence

d. There was then a long and obstinate silence

Why is the following statement inconsistent with Mr. Johnson's previous actions or statements? "That's what bothers me most about people nowadays," Mr. Johnson complained broadly to the people passing. "No matter whether they've done anything or not, they always figure someone's after them ... . " a. Mr. Johnson does not usually talk to strangers. b. Other people on the street haven't figured "someone's after them." c. This is the only time Mr. Johnson tries to knock someone down. d. This is the first time Mr. Johnson does anything negative like complain

d. This is the first time Mr. Johnson does anything negative like complain

When Is Jason supposed to learn the secret of Grimes Buildings? a. When Mr. Manaby feels it's safe to tell him b. Never c. When he has earned Miss Golden's confidence d. When he is taken onto the Established Staff

d. When he is taken onto the Established Staff

To help the woman who is moving to Vermont. Mr. Johnson watches her little boy and a. makes sure the movers don't scratch her furniture. b. provides peanuts and candy for the boy to eat on the train. c. recommends a good place to look for an apartment in Greenwich. d. gives her the name of a good friend in Greenwich on whom she can call if she needs help.

d. gives her the name of a good friend in Greenwich on whom she can call if she needs help.

Montresor vows revenge because Fortunato a. threatened him. b. humiliated him. c. accosted him. d. insulted him.

d. insulted him.

The girl in "Checkouts" is unhappy at the beginning of the story because a. she has lost her job. b. she has no boyfriend. c. her parents confine her to the house. d. she has been forced to move.

d. she has been forced to move.