Landlady Test Review

Which of the following statements best identifies a theme of the text?

• People should get to know each other first before resorting to judgement.

• Strangers can be more dangerous than they initially appear.

• Loneliness can drive people to behave strangely to others.

• Kindness and hospitality are difficult to find among strangers.

What quote from the text best supports the theme?

• "They're not as good as they look," Billy said. "They've got simply masses of fillings in them at the back."

• "...Because late on, if I happen to forget what you were called, then I can always come down here and look it up. I still do that almost every day with Mr. Mulholland and Mr... Mr..."

• "And it is such a pleasure, my dear, such a very great pleasure when now and again I open the door and I see someone standing there who is just exactly right."

• "Please come in" she said pleasantly."

What does the word "compelling" mean as used in this excerpt:

Each word was like a large black eye staring at him through the glass, holding him, compelling him, forcing him to stay where he was and not to walk away from that house, and the next thing he knew, he was actually moving across from the window to the front door of the house, climbing the steps that led up to it, and reaching for the bell.

• to urge to do something

• to think deeply about something

• to become slightly interested in something

• to scare someone into doing something

Which quote from the excerpt best supports the answer to the previous question?

• "After dithering about like this in the cold for two or three minutes"

• "when all at once his eye was caught and held in the most peculiar manner"

• "each word was like a large black eye staring at him through the glass"

• "forcing him to stay where he was and not to walk away from that house"

The landlady explains that there are no other guests because--

• Because there is an ongoing war.

• There is only one room available.

• She is very particular and choosy about her guests.

• She can't stand too much commotion.

What can the reader infer about the landlady from her conversation with Billy in the sitting room?

• She was a doctor or likely had some medical training, as evidenced by her ability to stuff her pets.

• She is a lonely old woman who lost her son in the war and tries to replace him with her particular tenants.

• She may have witnessed something terrible and suffers memory problems because she cannot recall Billy's name correctly.

• She may be more threatening than she appears because her words suggest she was involved in the two men's disappearances.

Which of the following details from the text best supports your previous answer about your inference?

• "He guessed that she had probably lost a son in the war, or something like that, and had never got over it."

• "'Left?' she said, arching her brows. 'But my dear boy, he never left. He's still here. Mr. Temple is also here."

• "he caught a whiff of a peculiar smell... he wasn't quite sure what it reminded him of. Pickled walnuts? New leather? Or was it the corridors of a hospital?"

• "if I happen to forget what you were called, then I can always come down here and look it up. I still do that almost every day with Mr. Mulholland and Mr... Mr..."

Which aspects of the house make Billy feel like it would be a good place to stay?

• It is cheap and close

• The pets make it look more inviting

• The flowers in the window are pretty

• All of the above

Which aspects of the landlady's appearance and voice make her seem trustworthy?

• She appears kind and gentle.

• She sounds like his mother.

• She has a unique accent.

• Her voice reminds him of someone he knew.

What quote from the text best supports your answer to the question above?

• "The door swung open and a woman was standing there"

• "She was about forty-five or fifty years old, and the moment she saw him, she gave a warm, welcoming smile."

• "I'm inclined to be just a teeny weeny bit choosy and particular-- if you see what I mean"

• "She looked exactly like the mother of one's best school friend welcoming one into the house to stay for the Christmas holidays"