The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture

What caused the ghosts to take flight during the ghost stories discussion?

• A. A loud cock-crowing

• B. A thunderstorm

• C. A yawn from the old fox-hunter

• D. A mysterious noise

Answer explanation

The question asks about the reason that caused the ghosts to flee during the discussion of ghost stories. Among the given options, the correct answer is 'A yawn from the old fox-hunter'. This implies that the ghosts were scared off or disturbed by the yawn from the old fox-hunter, causing them to take flight.

How is the haunted chamber's occupant chosen?

• A. By the company's unanimous decision

• B. By the housekeeper's allotment

• C. By drawing lots

• D. By whoever looks the most grizzly

Answer explanation

The question asks about the method of selecting the occupant for the haunted chamber. The correct answer is 'By drawing lots'. This implies that the selection is random and not influenced by any individual's decision or characteristics.

What describes the painting over the fireplace in the narrator's room?

• A. A serene landscape

• B. A portrait of the host

• C. An expression of intense bodily pain with a menacing look

• D. A delightful family scene

Answer explanation

The painting over the fireplace in the narrator's room is described as an expression of intense bodily pain with a menacing look. This eliminates options A, B, and D which mention a serene landscape, a portrait of the host, and a delightful family scene respectively. Therefore, the correct answer is the description that matches the one given in the question.

Why was the narrator unable to sleep in his room?

• A. The room was too cold

• B. He had a nightmare about food

• C. The fireplace went out

• D. The mysterious painting had a haunting effect on him

Answer explanation

The question asks why the narrator couldn't sleep in his room. The correct answer is that the mysterious painting had a haunting effect on him. This implies that the painting created an eerie or unsettling atmosphere, which prevented the narrator from being able to sleep comfortably in his room.

How did the narrator feel about returning to the haunted chamber after his night on the sofa?

• A. Excited

• B. Nervous

• C. Relieved

• D. Indifferent

Answer explanation

The question asks about the narrator's feelings upon returning to the haunted chamber after spending a night on the sofa. The correct answer is 'Relieved'. This suggests that the narrator was initially uncomfortable or scared in the haunted chamber, but after spending a night on the sofa, he felt relief upon returning, possibly because the sofa was less comfortable or the fear had subsided.

What reason did the host give for not covering the mysterious painting?

• A. He wanted to test its effect on a stranger

• B. He enjoyed looking at it himself

• C. He wanted to frighten his guests

• D. He thought it was a valuable piece of art

Answer explanation

The question asks why the host did not cover the mysterious painting. The correct answer is that he enjoyed looking at it himself. This implies that the host had a personal appreciation for the painting, which outweighed any potential negative reactions from his guests.

How did the other guests react to the narrator's discomfort in the haunted chamber?

• A. They were concerned and offered help

• B. They laughed and made jokes about it

• C. They decided to stay in the same room to support him

• D. They all left the inn in fear

Answer explanation

The question asks about the reaction of the other guests to the narrator's discomfort in the haunted chamber. The correct answer is that they were concerned and offered help. This indicates that the other guests were empathetic towards the narrator's situation and were willing to provide assistance to alleviate his discomfort.

Why did the host choose not to cover the mysterious painting the previous night?

• A. He wanted to entertain his guests with a ghost story

• B. He thought it would be amusing to observe their reactions

• C. He had forgotten about the painting

• D. He considered the painting to be a work of art that shouldn't be hidden

Answer explanation

The host chose not to cover the mysterious painting the previous night because he found it amusing to observe the reactions of his guests. The painting, being mysterious, likely elicited a variety of responses, which the host found entertaining.

How did the narrator initially react to the guests' teasing about the haunted chamber?

• A. He joined in the laughter and made jokes

• B. He got angry and stormed out of the room

• C. He laughed it off but felt a bit annoyed

• D. He confessed to being genuinely scared

Answer explanation

The question asks about the narrator's initial reaction to the guests' teasing about the haunted chamber. The correct answer is that he laughed it off but felt a bit annoyed. This indicates that while the narrator didn't take the teasing seriously, it did bother him to some extent. This response shows a mix of amusement and annoyance in the face of the guests' jesting.

What kind of influence did the mysterious painting have on those who saw it?

• A. It made people feel relaxed and peaceful

• B. It caused uncontrollable laughter

• C. It filled people with terror and strange feelings

• D. It induced deep sleep and pleasant dreams

Answer explanation

The question asks about the effect of the mysterious painting on its viewers. The correct answer is 'It filled people with terror and strange feelings'. This is because the adjective 'mysterious' often implies something unknown or unsettling, which aligns with the feelings of terror and strangeness.