The Highwayman reading quiz

The soldiers most likely know about the Highwayman returning to the inn because ___________.

• they have been tracking the Highwayman for days

• they were just arriving at the inn when the Highwayman returns

• Tim the ostler tells the soldiers when the Highwayman will return

• Bess tells the soldiers about the Highwayman’s return

What does the following passage from the poem mainly reveal about Bess (lines 55-60)?

She twisted her hands behind her; but all the knots held good!
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!
They stretched and strained in the darkness, and the hours crawled by like years
Till, now, on the stroke of midnight,
Cold, on the stroke of midnight,
The tip of one finger touched it! The trigger at least was hers!

• Bess is tied up for her own safety.

• Bess is beautiful and all the townspeople are in love with her because of her long, black hair.

• Bess is determined to protect the Highwayman.

• Bess betrays the Highwayman and has him killed.

Which of the following inferences about the Highwayman is best supported by the entire poem?

• He drives carriages for wealthy people late at night.

• He is a thief who steals from people on the highway.

• It is simply a childhood nickname because he enjoys the highway.

• He is a bank robber who is running away from the law.

Which event happens first in the story?

• Tim the ostler overhears the highwayman talking to Bess.

• The highwayman flees at the sound of a gunshot.

• The soldiers come to the inn to gag and bind Bess.

• The highwayman rides towards the inn.

Which event happens second in the story?

• Tim the ostler overhears the highwayman talking to Bess.

• The highwayman flees at the sound of a gunshot.

• The soldiers come to the inn to gag and bind Bess.

• The highwayman rides towards the inn.

Which event happens third in the story?

• Tim the ostler overhears the highwayman talking to Bess.

• The highwayman flees at the sound of a gunshot.

• The soldiers come to the inn to gag and bind Bess.

• The highwayman rides towards the inn.

Which event happens fourth in the story?

• Tim the ostler overhears the highwayman talking to Bess.

• The highwayman flees at the sound of a gunshot.

• The soldiers come to the inn to gag and bind Bess.

• The highwayman rides towards the inn.

What conflict exists between the highwayman and Tim the ostler?

• Tim hit the highwayman.

• Tim and the highwayman both want to court the landlord’s daughter.

• The highwayman told lies about Tim and he found out about it.

• The highwayman robbed Tim.

What is the setting for the opening scene in this poem?

• The poem starts out at the beach on a warm sunny day.

• The poem starts out in the lonely wilderness.

• The poem starts out around a dark inn on a moor. It is a moonlit, windy night.

• The poem starts out in a cemetery on a cold night.

What does Bess do to warn the highwayman of the soldiers’ trap?

• She yells out for him to run away.

• She set a fire in the inn she was being kept in.

• She steals a horse and rides off to find him.

• She shoots herself with a musket tied to the back of her chair.