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The Monkey's Paw

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which line foreshadows what happens to Herbert?

a)

“I don't see the money … and I bet I never shall.”

b)

“Why, we're going to be rich, and famous, and happy.”

c)

“If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy ….”

d)

“I expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big bag ….”

2.

What fact about Mrs. White helps you predict what the second wish will be?

a)

She is very angry.

b)

She does not fear death.

c)

She does not believe in the monkey's paw.

d)

She is a loving mother.

3.

What is “The Monkey's Paw” about?

a)

a retired sergeant major who brings a magical monkey's paw home from India

b)

an unsuspecting son who dies as a result of his mother's greed

c)

a monkey's paw that grants three wishes to three different people

d)

a magical but evil monkey's paw that ruins the quiet life of a family

4.

Why is Mr. White afraid to wish a second time?

a)

He does not believe the paw can grant wishes.

b)

He is so grief-stricken that he forgets the paw.

c)

He realizes his wishes can have bad consequences.

d)

He has become angry since Herbert's death.

5.

In the resolution of “The Monkey's Paw,” what most likely happened to Herbert?

a)

He is killed in an accident.

b)

He returns to the grave.

c)

He mocks the monkey's paw.

d)

He beats his father at chess.

6.

In “The Monkey's Paw,” which line spoken by Mr. White hints that the wishes can only change his life for the worse?

a)

“And what is there special about it?”

b)

“It seems to me I've got all I want.”

c)

“There's no harm done, but it gave me a shock all the same.”

d)

“The things happened so naturally ….”

7.

Which of the following would be the best theme of The Monkey’s Paw?

a)

People should not attempt to alter their fate.

b)

A magical monkey’s paw should never be used to make wishes.

c)

Be careful what you wish for.

d)

Money is the root of all evil.

8.

Mr. White feels guilty for causing Herbert's death. This is an example of:

a)

Internal conflict

b)

External conflict

c)

Mood

d)

Point of View

9.

In Part I, Herbert White says about Sergeant Morris,


“If the tale about the monkey’s paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us,” said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time to catch the last train, “we shan’t make much out of it.”


What does he mean by this, and what attitude is conveyed by his words?

a)

He is eager to use the monkey’s paw to wish for 200 pounds to pay off the house.

b)

He is afraid of the magical powers of the monkey’s paw and wishes Sergeant Morris would have taken it with him.

c)

He doesn’t believe the story of the monkey’s paw and convinced it will not work.

d)

He doesn’t understand why someone would use a monkey’s paw to make wishes in the first place.

10.

Which of the following is the most accurate and detailed summary of W.W. Jacob’s short story The Monkey’s Paw? Read each answer choice carefully.

a)

A man presents a family with a supposedly magical trinket. The family then makes a series of wishes on the trinket, each of which yields strangely coincidental and unfortunate side-effects.

b)

A military man presents a family with a magically enchanted monkey’s paw. He warns the family of potentially harmful side-effects caused by wishing on the paw. The family makes wishes anyway, each of which yields a more unfortunate and horrifying side-effect than the last.

c)

A monkey’s paw is delivered to a family. It causes tremendous trouble for everyone.

d)

The White family is gifted a magical monkey’s paw by an acquaintance. The gift is so ridiculous that the family gives it back to the original owner after making a series of wishes. The side effects of the wishes cause the family to wish they had never made the wishes in the first place.

11.

The White family’s first response to Sergeant Major Morris’ story about the monkey’s paw is mainly:

a)

uninterested and doubtful

b)

frightened and worried

c)

curious and fascinated

d)

unconcerned and doubtful

12.
What mood do you find in the story when the Whites stop speaking to one another after Herbert's death?
a)
hopeless grief
b)
quiet thought
c)
hurtful anger
d)
silent blame
13.
Which piece of textual evidence from the beginning of the story foreshadows the end?
a)
"What was that you started telling me the other day about a monkey's paw or something, Morris?"
b)
"If you don't want it, Morris," said the other, "give it to me."
c)
"I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire again like a sensible man."
d)
"I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly…
14.
In "The Monkey's Paw," why does Sergeant Major Morris grow pale when the Whites ask him about his three wishes on the monkey's paw?
a)
The idea of magic frightens him.
b)
He is trying not to laugh as he fools his friends.
c)
He is remembering the horrible effects of his wishes.
d)
He is ashamed of believing in the monkey's paw.
15.

In "The Monkey's Paw," how does the White family feel in the morning after Sergeant Major Morris' visit?

a)

relaxed and playful

b)

anxious and upset

c)

angry and confused

d)

bored and uninterested

16.
Mr. White refuses to help his wife open the door because he is
a)
angry that she awakened him.
b)
afraid that his second wish has come true.
c)
weakened by his grief.
d)
concerned that the house will be too cold.
17.

Why had the man from Maw and Meggins gone to the Whites' house?

a)

to offer Mr. White a job

b)

to give Mr. and Mrs. White compensation for their son's accident

c)

to give Mr. White a raise in salary

d)

to deliver a package that the Whites had ordered the week before

18.

How did Sergeant Major Morris say that he got the monkey's paw?

a)

A fakir in India gave it to him

b)

He got it after the previous owner died

c)

He bought it from a little shop in Bangledesh

d)

He won it in a bet

19.
"There was another knock, and another. The old woman with a sudden wrench broke free and ran from the room...But her husband was on his hands and knees groping wildly on the floor in search of the paw. If only he could find it before the thing outside got in." This scene is an example of-
a)
Rising Action
b)
Falling Action
c)
Exposition
d)
Climax
20.

Which event represents the primary conflict of "The Monkey's Paw"?

a)

Sergeant Major Morris advises Mr. White to throw the paw into the fire.

b)

The man from Maw and Meggins delivers bad news of their son's death to the Whites.

c)

Mr. White hears knocking on the door after the second wish and he is terrified.

d)

Mr. and Mrs. White disagree on whether or not to open the door.