Story of an Hour Comprehension

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

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

• B. “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.”

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

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

What is most closely the meaning of delicious breath as it is used in the following passage (paragraph 4)?

"She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring of life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. "

• A. a smell that is pleasing

• B. an overbearing heaviness

• C. a welcome sense of relief

• D. an appetite for tasty food

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

• A. Paragraph 3

• B. Paragraph 7

• C. Paragraph 8

• D. Paragraph 10

Which of the following best describes the realization Mrs. Mallard have in the excerpt?

• A. She begins to feel younger than she really is.

• B. She sees the flaws in marriage and her relationship.

• C. She finally enjoys daydreaming about the future.

• D. She realizes she does not have patience for her friends.

What is one of the main ideas of the story?

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

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

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

• D. A man has no idea about how his wife is feeling and acts insensitively in their marriage.

Which statement from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to the previous question?

• A. “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.”

• B. “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.”

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

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

Which irony is most strongly represented in the excerpt?

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

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

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

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

Which paragraph from the excerpt most strongly supports the answer to the previous question?

• A. Paragraph 7

• B. Paragraph 18

• C. Paragraph 21

• D. Paragraph 22