"The Open Window" by Saki- Questions

1. Which of the following expresses a main theme of the text?

• A. People often have trouble letting go of distressing past experiences.
• B. Skillful storytellers can make others believe the tales that they spin.
• C. Having fun at another's expense is okay as long as no one gets hurt.
• D. Once one has started telling lies, it can become difficult to stop.

2. How does Vera's narration in paragraph 14 help build suspense?

• A. It creates suspense by portraying the three men as wandering spirits who continue to haunt the countryside.
• B. It creates suspense by hinting at the possibility of someone or something entering through the window later in the story.
• C. It creates suspense by coming to an abrupt end before Vera is able to explain what supposedly happened to the three men out on the moor.
• D. It creates suspense by exhibiting minor inconsistencies, which suggest that Vera, for some unknown reason, is lying to Mr. Nuttel.

3. What does the term "romance" most likely mean as used in paragraph 29?

• A. a tendency to daydream
• B. an exciting story or exaggeration
• C. a tale about the experience of love
• D. a mysterious or charming quality

4. What can be inferred about Vera’s character based on her story about the open window?

• A. She is genuinely concerned for her aunt’s wellbeing.
• B. She enjoys creating dramatic and unsettling stories.
• C. She is unaware of the true details of her aunt’s tragedy.
• D. She believes her aunt is delusional.

5. Which detail from the text best supports the idea that Vera is manipulating Framton’s perception of reality?

• A. “Her great tragedy happened just three years ago,” said the child; “that would be since your sister’s time.”
• B. “You may wonder why we keep that window wide open on an October afternoon,” said the niece.
• C. “In crossing the moor to their favourite snipe-shooting ground they were all three engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog.”
• D. “Do you know, sometimes on still, quiet evenings like this, I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window - ”

6. How does the organization of the passage contribute to the suspenseful atmosphere?

• A. By providing a detailed background before revealing the tragic event.
• B. By describing the weather conditions on the day of the tragedy.
• C. By introducing Vera’s story immediately to capture the reader’s interest.
• D. By having Vera narrate the story to Framton gradually.

7. What is the author’s purpose in having Vera tell the story about the open window?

• A. To highlight the innocence of children.
• B. To create a humorous twist.
• C. To build a sense of mystery and tension.
• D. To emphasize the tragic history of the family.

8. What literary device is most prominent in Vera’s story about the open window?

• A. Irony
• B. Foreshadowing
• C. Metaphor
• D. Simile

9. How does the author use Vera’s dialogue to influence Framton’s perception of the open window?

• A. By having Vera use a confident tone, she makes the story more believable to Framton.
• B. By incorporating detailed descriptions of the weather, she emphasizes the reality of the story.
• C. By having Vera speak in a faltering voice, she adds an element of uncertainty and mystery.
• D. By using casual language, she downplays the significance of the tragedy.

10. Which rhetorical device is used when Vera describes the actions and appearance of her aunt’s husband and brothers?

• A. Pathos, to evoke sympathy for the aunt’s loss.
• B. Logos, to logically explain the sequence of events.
• C. Ethos, to establish Vera’s credibility as a storyteller.
• D. Antithesis, to contrast the characters’ past and present conditions.