Review questions for final examination of Selected Reading of English and American Literature, Dec. 2012 ( 5 short stories and Trifles)
I. Multiple-choice questions: 90%
( ) 1. Who is the author of Trifles? a. Susan Glaspell b. Henrik Ibsen c. William
Shakespeare d. Arthur Miller
( ) 2. Who said the following lines, “She was kind of like a bird herself—real sweet
and pretty, but kind of timid and –fluttery. How—she—did—change.”? a. Mrs.
Hale b. Mrs. Peters c. Sheriff d. Attorney
( ) 3. Why did not the women mention the dead bird to the male investigators? a.
Women’s solidarity. b. They don’t think it is important. c. It is too trivial to
mention to the investigators. d. They don’t think it is relevant to the case.
( ) 4. Who said the following lines, “Nothing here but the kitchen things.”? a. Mrs.
Hale b. Mrs. Peters c. Sheriff d. Attorney
( ) 5.What happened to the bird? a. It got sick and died. b. It was lost. c. It suffered a
violent death. d. It was eaten by the cat.
( ) 6. Who said the following lines, “The law has got to punish crime.”? a. Mrs. Hale b.
Mrs. Peters c. Sheriff d. Attorney
( ) 7. What will not be brought to Mrs. Wright in Jail? a. Her fruit preserve. b. Her
dead bird. c. Her quilt. d. Her apron.
( ) 8. What kind of person is Mr. Wright? a. Cheerful. b. Open. c. Close. d. Easy.
( ) 9. The County Attorney feels that the case lacks? a. Nothing: it's open and shut. b.
a murder weapon. c.an opportunity for the murder to be committed. d. a
motive.
( ) 10. Mrs. Peters is the wife of a. the Sheriff. b. the County Attorney. c. the dead
man. d.the neighboring farmer
( ) 11. Which of the following story does not employ the literary device of irony?
- The Jewelry b. The Story of an Hour c. Cat in the Rain d. Happy Endings
( ) 12.What is Mr. Lantin’s profession in The Jewelry? ? a. salesman b. cashier c.
tax collector d. Government clerk
( ) 13. What kind of husband is Mr. Mallard? a. He is stubborn b. He is responsible c. He is gentle d. He is violent
( ) 14.What is the theme of Happy Endings? a. Everyone will die b. What kind of life can be considered a happy one? c. Life is always happy d. Love is usually tragic
( ) 15. Which character said the following lines, “I, too, am rich!—I am worth two hundred thousand francs.”? a. The American wife b. Mr. Lantin c. Mrs. Mallard d. Madame Lantin
( ) 16. What is the theme of The Jewelry? a. It is better to buy genuine jewelry b. It is important to marry a virtuous wife c. It is good to invest money in jewelry d. There is a gap between reality and appearance
( ) 17. What is one of the presents in The Gift of the Magi? a. Hair combs b. A
fountain pen c. A pair of eyeglasses d. a gold watch
( ) 18. How did Mr. Lantin probably feel when he learned the truth about his wife’s jewels? 1. deceived 2. confused 3. betrayed 4. all of the above
( ) 19. How does Louise actually feel when she locks herself in her room? a. lonely b. angry c. terrified d. liberated
( ) 20. Which character said the following lines, “What can I do? I am so fond of it. It is my only weakness”? a. The American wife b. Mr. Lantin c. Mrs. Mallard d. Mrs. Lantin
( ) 21. Who is the author of The Story of an Hour? a. John Updike b. Shirley Jackson c. Kate Chopin d. Ernest Hemingway
( ) 22. Who said the following line “Free! Body and soul free! ”? a. Della b. Louise c. Josephine d. Mr. Mallard
( ) 23. What is the likely profession of Mrs. Lantin? a. waitress b. receptionist c. courtesan d. hair dresser
( ) 24. Which of the following story employed the literary device of irony?
- Happy Endings 2. The Cat in the Rain 3. The Jewelry 4. The Story of an Hour
a. 1, 2, 3 b. 2, 3, 4 c. 1, 3, 4 d. 1, 2, 4
( ) 25. Who is the author of The Jewelry? a. Margaret Atwood b. Guy de Maupassant c. Kate Chopin d. Ernest Hemingway
( ) 26. Which words are repeated in plotline A in Happy Endings? a. vacations
and hobbies b. remunerative and charming c. worthwhile and devoted
d.stimulating and challenging
( ) 27. Which character said the following lines, “I want to eat at a table with my own silver and I want candles”? a. The American wife b. Madame Lantin c. Mrs. Mallard d. Mrs. Right
( ) 28. Why is Mrs. Mallard’s family concerned about her? a. She's hysterical b. She doesn't have any money c. She's afflicted with a heart trouble d. She's a woman
( ) 29. What is a famous part in or about this story? a. The author never wrote again
after this story. b. The couple dies at the end. It's so tragic. c. It has a twist
ending. d. The two characters are foolish.
( ) 30. Who said the following lines, “I want it to be spring and I want to brush my hair
out in front of a mirror.”? a. Mrs. Lantin b. The American wife c. Della d.
Mrs. Mallard
II. Short essay question: 10% (Please choose just one question to answer)
1. What does “the jewelry” symbolize in the story The Jewelry?
2. Why is the story called “Happy Endings”?
3. Discuss the husband-wife relationship in Cat in the Rain?
4. What does the story “The Gift of the Magi” tell us about a “gift”?
5. What does Louise actually feel when she locks herself in her room?
6. What does the title Trifles suggest in the play? Is it ironic and if so in what way?
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