The Story of an Hour Reading Quiz

Which sentence from the excerpt shows that Mrs. Mallard is a sensible person?

• She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its significance.

• She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams.

• There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully.

• When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips.

Answer explanation

This quote shows that Mrs. Mallard is able to accept the significance of her husband’s death.

What is most closely the meaning of delicious breath as it is used in the following passage (paragraph 5)?

• a smell that is pleasing

• an overbearing heaviness

• a welcome sense of relief

• an appetite for tasty food

Answer explanation

The context of the text assists with meaning, as there is “new spring life,” and the rain acts as a symbol of cleansing.

In which paragraph does the author introduce an important discovery that is made by Mrs. Mallard?

• Paragraph 4

• Paragraph 8

• Paragraph 9

• Paragraph 11

Answer explanation

In paragraph 10, Mrs. Mallard realizes she is “‘free, free, free!’” [“When she abandoned herself…”]

Which of the following sentences best describes Mrs. Mallard's revelation in the story?

• She begins to feel younger than she really is.

• She sees the flaws in marriage and her relationship.

• She finally enjoys daydreaming about the future.

• Her lifelong fear of trains has finally been vindicated.

Answer explanation

Mrs. Mallard sees the flaws in her marriage and relationship when she receives the news of her husband’s death.

What is one of the main ideas of the story?

• A woman discovers she has felt burdened by her marriage and looks forward to living independently of her husband.

• A woman resents the overly protective treatment of her sister and struggles to break free from her family.

• A man tricks his wife into believing he has died to see how she will react.

• After a tragic train crash, a woman vows to get to the bottom of her husband's death.

Answer explanation

Mrs. Mallard discovers she has felt burdened by her marriage when she learns of her husband’s death.

Which statement from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to Question 5?

• Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband's death.

• There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature.

• Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole, imploring for admission.

• It was Brent Mallard who entered, a little travel-stained, composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella.

Answer explanation

This quote supports a central idea of the passage, which is Mrs. Mallard’s newfound independence.

Which irony is most strongly represented in the story?

• Mrs. Mallard believes her health is fine but she needs her sister's help to walk around her home.

• Mrs. Mallard receives news from her friend that her husband has died but her friend is mistaken.

• Mrs. Mallard feels oppressed by the sadness of her sister and friend but they are relieved she will be liberated.

• Mrs. Mallard's doctors believe she has died from a shock of happiness but Mrs. Mallard has died from disappointment.

Answer explanation

• The irony is that her doctors believe she is overcome with happiness that her husband is alive, when she is actually overcome by the disappointment and shock of losing her newfound independence.

Which paragraph from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to Question 7?

• Paragraph 8

• Paragraph 19

• Paragraph 22

• Paragraph 23

Answer explanation

• This paragraph most strongly presents the irony in the previous question by showing what the doctors believe while the reader knows how Mrs. Mallard truly felt. [“...of joy that kills.”]