The House of Dies Drear Review

Which of these is the best plot summary?

• Mayhew Skinner has come to help his father protect the treasure of Dies Drear. He disguises himself in order to scare away treasure hunters. Mayhew becomes good friends with Mr. Small and his family. Mr. Small and Pluto finally agree on what should be done with the treasure.

• The Small family moves to Ohio. Thomas finds a hidden tunnel under the house of Dies Drear. It leads to a cavern full of treasure. Pluto, the groundskeeper, tries to scare Thomas away. Thomas meets the Darrows and thinks they are strange. The Darrows also try to scare away the Smalls by vandalizing their home, but the Smalls refuse to leave.

• The Small family moves into the house of Dies Drear in Ohio. In the past, it was used as part of the Underground Railroad. Dies Drear was an abolitionist who helped slaves escape to freedom. A mystery surrounds the house and Pluto, the groundskeeper. The family slowly uncovers secrets about the house and finds a great historical treasure.

• The Skinners and the Darrows have a longstanding feud. The Small family is caught in the middle after they move to the house of Dies Drear in Ohio. Soon their lives are in danger. Intruders enter the house and leave threatening signs for the Smalls. The Small family must help protect the house.

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In what way does Pluto feel connected to the treasure of Dies Drear?

• He thinks of the treasure as a way to stop struggling and make money.

• He is the guardian of the treasure. He wants to protect it for the rest of his life.

• He wants to sell the treasure and give the money to his son Mayhew.

• He thinks he should use the treasure to purchase the house of Dies Drear.

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Why does Mayhew return to town?

• He hears that his father has become ill and he wants to protect him.

• He wants to try to get his portion of the treasure.

• He is not successful as an actor.

• He becomes homesick and wants to return to his father.

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Dies Drear was an abolitionist who helped slaves become free through the Underground Railroad. In this sentence, what does abolitionist mean?

• Someone who made and repaired tunnels

• Someone who believed slavery should end

• Someone who returned runaway slaves to their owners

• Someone who lived in a big house in Ohio

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How does Pesty help Pluto?

• She brings him food and water when he is in his secret cavern.

• She tells the Darrows that Pluto is still strong and will harm anyone who tries to steal the treasure.

• She keeps his secrets.

• She catalogues the treasure so that future generations can benefit from it.

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The secrets of the house of Dies Drear and Thomas’s active imagination make this story—

• funny

• unrealistic

• motivating

• suspenseful

The author changes the mood at the end of the story from one of mystery to one of—

• excitement when characters compete to find the treasure, hoping to divide its wealth among a few people

• awe and hope, as characters find the treasure and plan to share its historical importance with the world

• danger because the Darrows are feuding with the Skinners and trying to steal the treasure

• happiness because the Smalls find a treasure that will help them move back home

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The setting of the story shows that—

• the North has more historical importance than the South

• Ohio was not a good place to live during the Civil War

• the Underground Railroad was a complex and effective system

• Dies Drear was not a good abolitionist

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The reader can conclude that Dies Drear collected the treasure—

• because he valued history and wanted to protect it

• because slaves paid him with valuable art to help them escape

• because he wanted to sell the treasure to make a large profit

• because he was greedy and stole it

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Why does Pluto search for the treasure for almost thirty years?

• He feels that the treasure belongs to him because he has lived there for so long. He wants to sell it.

• He feels that finding the treasure will make up for not being able to keep his wife and son happy.

• He finds enough clues to think he is close to finding it, and he cannot quit.

• He grows to love the house of Dies Drear and feels he has to protect the house, its history, and its legend.

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