The Story of an Hour Test

Passage Excerpt:

"She was beginning to recognize this thing that was approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will..."

Question 1:

How does Mrs. Mallard initially react to the news of her husband's death?

• She feels instant joy. 

• She experiences shock and sadness. 

• She is indifferent. 

• She immediately accepts it with relief.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

Question 2:

What does Mrs. Mallard’s emotional shift from grief to joy reveal about her character?

 

• She had long been oppressed by her marriage. 

• She never loved her husband. 

• She has a weak emotional constitution. 

• She is incapable of real love.

Tags

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Question 3: 

What does Mrs. Mallard mean when she whispers, "free, free, free"?

 

• She is free from the responsibilities of her marriage. 

• She feels free from her oppressive life. 

• She is relieved to be free of societal expectations. 

• She is free to move away from her hometown.

Tags

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Question 4:

Why does Mrs. Mallard feel conflicted about her emotions?

 

• She feels guilty about her happiness. 

• She feels unsure about her future. 

• She is still in love with her husband. 

• She is afraid of what others will think.

Tags

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Question 5: 

What is the significance of the springtime setting in the story?

 

• It symbolizes Mrs. Mallard’s new beginning and freedom. 

• It reflects the sadness of the situation. 

• It contrasts with the death of her husband. 

• It emphasizes the stagnation of Mrs. Mallard’s emotions.

   

Tags

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Question 6: 

What do the open window and fresh air represent in the story?

 

• They represent a connection to the outside world.

• They symbolize Mrs. Mallard’s awareness of the changes in her life. 

• They suggest that Mrs. Mallard is disconnected from reality.

• They emphasize the inevitability of death.

Tags

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Question 7: 

What does the description of the "new spring life" outside Mrs. Mallard’s window suggest?

 

• It reflects the end of an era in her life. 

• It mirrors her internal sense of renewal and freedom. 

• It symbolizes the life she will now lead as a widow. 

• It contrasts with her true feelings of despair.

Tags

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Question 8: 

Which of the following best describes the plot structure of “The Story of an Hour”?

 

• It begins with rising action, followed by climax and resolution. 

• It follows a circular structure, ending where it began. 

• It has a fragmented, non-linear narrative. 

• It uses a flashback format to explain Mrs. Mallard’s emotions.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

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Question 9: 

What is the function of the sudden appearance of Brently Mallard at the end of the story?

 

• It reinforces the idea that Mrs. Mallard’s freedom was only an illusion. 

• It shows that the news of his death was a mistake. 

• It suggests that Mrs. Mallard's happiness was misplaced. 

• It highlights the unpredictability of life.

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Question 10:** 

How does the brief length of the story contribute to its effectiveness?

• It allows the reader to focus on the setting. 

• It heightens the impact of Mrs. Mallard’s emotional journey. 

• It emphasizes Mrs. Mallard’s slow realization of freedom. 

• It lessens the impact of the twist ending.

Tags

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