What does Mrs. White want to do?

She wants to use the paw to bring their son back to life.

She wants to destroy the paw by burning it.

She wants to use the paw to get revenge on the visitor.

She wants to get the sergeant-major to take back the paw.

How does Mr. White react to his wife’s idea?

He is horrified, but he does what she asks.

He is afraid of her idea, so he hides the paw from her.

He is curious about what will happen, so he helps her.

He has sympathy for her, but he refuses her request.

Why does Mrs. White scream and Mr. White drop to the floor?

The visitor offers them the amount of money they had wished for.

The visitor asks them for money.

The visitor asks them to come with him to see their son.

Mrs. White believes that…

a rat is making noise in the house.

Which statement best expresses the theme of the story?

Ignoring the wisdom and experience of others can lead to terrible consequences.

It is not wise to trust strangers, even when they promise to be loyal to you.

You should never give up, even if you think a problem is impossible to solve.

You can overcome tragedy if you rely on your family and friends.

Which TWO quotes from the story best support ignoring the wisdom and experience of others can lead to terrible consequences?

“‘I won’t,’ said his friend doggedly. ‘I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire again, like a sensible man.’”

“Mr. White dropped his wife’s hand, and rising to his feet, gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped the words, ‘How much?’ / ‘Two hundred pounds,’ was the answer.”

"he began to talk, the little family circle regarding with eager interest this visitor from distant parts, as he squared his broad shoulders in the chair and spoke of strange scenes and doughty deeds”

“‘Likely,’ said Herbert, with pretend horror. ‘Why, we’re going to be rich, and famous, and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with; then you can’t be henpecked.’”

“But the days passed, and expectation gave place to resignation — the hopeless resignation of the old, sometimes miscalled, apathy. Sometimes they hardly exchanged a word, for now they had nothing to talk about, and their days were long to weariness.”

How do these paragraphs below contribute to an understanding of the mood at this point in the story? "They sat down by the fire again while the two men finished their pipes. Outside, the wind was higher than ever, and the old man started nervously at the sound of a door banging upstairs. A silence unusual and depressing settled upon all three, which lasted until the old couple rose to retire for the night. “I expect you’ll find the cash tied up in a big bag in the middle of your bed,” said Herbert, as he bade them good-night, “and something horrible squatting up on top of the wardrobe watching you as you pocket your ill-gotten gains.” He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. It got so vivid that, with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table for a glass containing a little water to throw over it. His hand grasped the monkey’s paw, and with a little shiver he wiped his hand on his coat and went up to bed. In the brightness of the wintry sun next morning as it streamed over the breakfast table Herbert laughed at his fears. There was an air of prosaic wholesomeness about the room which it had lacked on the previous night, and the dirty, shrivelled little paw was pitched on the sideboard with a carelessness which betokened no great belief in its virtues. “I suppose all old soldiers are the same,” said Mrs White. “The idea of our listening to such nonsense! How could wishes be granted in these days? And if they could, how could two hundred pounds hurt you, father?” “Might drop on his head from the sky,” said the frivolous Herbert. “Morris said the things happened so naturally,” said his father, “that you might if you so wished attribute it to coincidence.” “Well, don’t break into the money before I come back,” said Herbert, as he rose from the table. “I’m afraid it’ll turn you into a mean, avaricious man, and we shall have to disown you.” His mother laughed, and following him to the door, watched him down the road, and returning to the breakfast table, was very happy at the expense of her husband’s credulity. All of which did not prevent her from scurrying to the door at the postman’s knock, nor prevent her from referring somewhat shortly to retired sergeant-majors of bibulous habits when she found that the post brought a tailor’s bill."

They show that the mood has changed from disturbing to light-hearted.

The create a suspenseful mood with details about the old man’s nightmares and Mrs. White’s concern.

They establish a cheerful mood to show how the family feels about their wish being granted.

They build on the gloomy mood that was established in Part I of the story.

Which TWO details best support the mood has changed from disturbing to light-hearted?

"The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. It got so vivid that, with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table for a glass containing a little water to throw over it.”

“as [sunlight] streamed over the breakfast table Herbert laughed at his fears.”

“the dirty, shriveled little paw was pitched on the sideboard with a carelessness which betokened no great belief in its virtues.”

“‘I suppose all soldiers are the same,’ said Mrs. White. ‘The idea of our listening to such nonsense!’”

"‘I’m afraid it’ll turn you into a mean, avaricious man, and we shall have to disown you.’”

How does the dialogue below develop the plot of the story? “I — was asked to call,” he said at last, and stooped and picked a piece of cotton from his trousers. “I come from Maw and Meggins.” The old lady started. “Is anything the matter?” she asked breathlessly. “Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?” Her husband interposed. “There, there, mother,” he said hastily. “Sit down, and don’t jump to conclusions. You’ve not brought bad news, I’m sure, sir” and he eyed the other wistfully. “I’m sorry — ” began the visitor. “Is he hurt?” demanded the mother. The visitor bowed in assent. “Badly hurt,” he said quietly, “but he is not in any pain.” “Oh, thank God!” said the old woman, clasping her hands. “Thank God for that! Thank — ” She broke off suddenly as the sinister meaning of the assurance dawned upon her and she saw the awful confirmation of her fears in the other’s averted face. She caught her breath, and turning to her slower-witted husband, laid her trembling old hand upon his. There was a long silence. “He was caught in the machinery,” said the visitor at length, in a low voice. “Caught in the machinery,” repeated Mr. White, in a dazed fashion, “yes.” He sat staring blankly out at the window, and taking his wife’s hand between his own, pressed it as he had been wont to do in their old courting days nearly forty years before. “He was the only one left to us,” he said, turning gently to the visitor. “It is hard.” The other coughed, and rising, walked slowly to the window. “The firm wished me to convey their sincere sympathy with you in your great loss,” he said, without looking round. “I beg that you will understand I am only their servant and merely obeying orders.” There was no reply; the old woman’s face was white, her eyes staring, and her breath inaudible; on the husband’s face was a look such as his friend the sergeant might have carried into his first action. “I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility,” continued the other. “They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son’s services they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation.” Mr. White dropped his wife’s hand, and rising to his feet, gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped the words, “How much?” “Two hundred pounds,” was the answer.

It reveals that Mr. White’s wish has been granted but not in the way they expected.

It shows that the visitor is uncomfortable with what he has to say, even though he is bringing a gift.

It suggests that Mrs. White is concerned about her husband and takes steps to help him deal with the news he’s received.

It shows the sergeant-major reappearing in the story and causing more problems within the family.

Which TWO excerpts from the story best support their differing points of view and resulting argument create suspense around what choice they will make and how they will respond to the knock at their door?

‘Get it,’ she panted; ‘get it quickly, and wish — Oh, my boy, my boy!’ / Her husband struck a match and lit the candle. ‘Get back to bed,’ he said unsteadily. ‘You don’t know what you are saying.’”

“But her husband was on his hands and knees groping wildly on the floor in search of the paw. If he could only find it before the thing outside got in.”

“It was about a week after that that the old man, waking suddenly in the night, stretched out his hand and found himself alone. The room was in darkness, and the sound of subdued weeping came from the window.”

“Neither spoke, but both lay silently listening to the ticking of the clock. A stair creaked, and a squeaky mouse scurried noisily through the wall.” (Paragraph 128) “His wife sat up in bed listening. A loud knock resounded through the house. / ‘It’s Herbert!’ she screamed. ‘It’s Herbert!’”

A cold wind rushed up the staircase, and a long loud wail of disappointment and misery from his wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and then to the gate beyond. The street lamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road.”

Which quote BEST contributes the use of foreshadowing from the story's overall meaning?

"If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens” and “I warn you of the consequences”

"A cold wind rushed up the staircase, and a long loud wail of disappointment and misery from his wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and then to the gate beyond. The street lamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road.”

“All of which did not prevent her from scurrying to the door at the postman’s knock, nor prevent her from referring somewhat shortly to retired sergeant-majors of bibulous habits”

“‘I’m afraid it’ll turn you into a mean, avaricious man, and we shall have to disown you.’”

What is "The Monkey's Paw" about?

a magical but evil monkey's paw that ruins the quiet life of a family

a retired sergeant major who brings a magical monkey's paw from India

an unsuspecting son who dies as a result of his mother's greed.

a monkey's paw that grants three wishes to three different people

Which of the following phrases from "The Monkey's Paw" best describes the Whites' lives before the first wish is granted?

"an air of prosaic wholesomeness"

"wild scenes and doughty deeds"

"steeped in a shadow and silence"

"the hopeless resignation of the old"

In "The Monkey's Paw," which of the following lines spoken by Mr. White hints that the wishes can only change his life for the worse?

"It seems to me I've got all I want."

"And what is there special about it?"

"...there's no harm done, but it gave me a shock all the same."

"...the things happened so naturally...."

Which of the following lines from "The Monkey's Paw" is an example of foreshadowing?

"The monkey's paw has caused enough mischief already."

"When he went away he was a slip of a youth in the warehouse."

"I should like to see those old temples and fakirs and jugglers..."

"Did you give him anything for it, Father?"

Which of the following lines from "The Monkey's Paw" foreshadows what happens to Herbert?

"...I don't see the money... and I bet I never shall."

"Why, we're going to be rich, and famous and happy."

"I expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big bag..."

"If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy..."

In "The Monkey's Paw." when a stranger comes to the Whites' door, Mrs. White thinks at first he has come to

asks them for the monkey's paw.

Why is Mr. White afraid to wish a second time?

He realizes his wishes can have only bad consequences

He does not believe the paw grant wishes.

He is so grief stricken that he forgets the paw

He has become apathetic since Herbert's death.

At the end of "The Monkey's Paw," what does Mrs. White realize just after she opens the front door?

Her husband has made the third wish.

The monkey's paw killed her son.

She no longer wants her son to return

The knocking sound is not Herbert

Monkey's Paw Reading

Quiz

•

English

•

8th - 9th Grade

•

Practice Problem

•

Hard

•

CCSS

RL.6.4, RL.11-12.3, RL.1.10

+17

Standards-aligned

Used 659+ times

FREE Resource

About this resource

This quiz focuses on W.W. Jacobs' classic horror short story "The Monkey's Paw," covering comprehensive literary analysis skills appropriate for 8th and 9th grade students. The questions assess reading comprehension through plot sequence, character analysis, and textual evidence, while also examining more sophisticated literary concepts including theme identification, mood analysis, foreshadowing, and genre classification. Students need strong literal comprehension skills to track the story's progression from the sergeant-major's warning through Herbert's tragic death to the final climactic scene. Beyond basic comprehension, they must demonstrate analytical thinking by identifying how dialogue develops plot, recognizing shifts in mood through textual details, and understanding how foreshadowing contributes to the story's overall meaning. The quiz requires students to synthesize information across multiple parts of the text, particularly in questions that ask them to select supporting evidence for themes and mood changes. Created by a classroom teacher who designed it for students studying English in grades 8-9. This comprehensive assessment serves multiple instructional purposes in the English Language Arts classroom, functioning effectively as a summative assessment following a complete study of the short story or as a review tool before broader discussions of horror fiction and literary devices. Teachers can use this quiz for formative assessment to gauge student understanding of complex literary concepts before moving on to similar texts, or assign it as homework to reinforce close reading skills. The quiz supports classroom instruction by requiring students to cite textual evidence and make inferences, essential skills for literary analysis. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1 for citing textual evidence, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2 for theme analysis, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3 for analyzing how dialogue and incidents propel action and develop characters.

30 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

The story is set...

in a men's club.

in an isolated house

outside in the rain

in a town square

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How does the White family first react to the sight of the monkey’s paw?

Mr. White and Herbert are interested, but Mrs. White is disgusted.

Mr. and Mrs. White are interested, but Herbert is suspicious.

Mrs. White is surprised, but Herbert and Mr. White are irritated.

Mrs. White and Herbert are uninterested, but Mr. White is enthusiastic.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What does the sergeant-major think of the monkey’s paw?

He thinks it is helpful.

He thinks it is useless.

He thinks it is entertaining.

He thinks it is dangerous.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following best describes the family’s attitude when they make their wish?

hesitant

serious

playful

certain

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following best describes how Herbert is feeling when he sits by the fire?

uneasy

lonely

unconcerned

hopeful

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which of the following could NOT be used to describe the family’s conversation at the breakfast table?

anxious

humorous

calm

informal

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What does the visitor reveal to Mr. and Mrs. White?

Their son has broken a piece of equipment.

Their son has been killed in an accident.

Their son has received a promotion.

Their son has left his job and run away.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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