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"Charles" by Shirley Jackson"

Total questions: 18

Worksheet time: 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What new experience is Laurie facing?

a)

getting a new baby-sitter

b)

starting high school

c)

starting kindergarten

d)

going to summer camp

2.
How does the mother view Laurie before the day he begins kindergarten?
a)
as a sweet-voiced nursery-school tot
b)
as a swaggering, shouting boy
c)
as an insolent child
d)
as a shy little boy
3.

Whose perspective is the story told from?

a)

Charles

b)

Laurie's teacher

c)

Laurie's mother

d)

Laurie's father

4.

According to Laurie, what happened when Charles had to stay after school?

a)

The principal called his mother.

b)

He had to sit on his knees in the corner.

c)

All the children stayed to watch him.

d)

No one wanted to play with Charles.

5.
According to Laurie, do the other students tend to side with Charles or the teacher?
a)
They side with Charles.
b)
They side with the teacher.
c)
They don't side with either.
6.
How is Charles an institution in Laurie's family?
a)
The parents think Charles should be put in a mental institution.
b)
Laurie talks about Charles so much that the parents feel he is part of the family.
c)
Laurie's family wants to help Charles.
d)
Anyone who makes a mess or causes trouble is said to be acting like Charles.
7.
Laurie's mother wants to meet Charles's mother because 
a)
Laurie's mother wants to invite her over for tea
b)
Laurie's mother wants to complain to her about Charles's behavior .
c)
Laurie's mother is curious about the mother of such a troublemaker. 
d)
Laurie's mother feels she has a lot in common with Charles's mother. 
8.

Why did Laurie's mother miss the first Parent Teacher meeting?

a)

Laurie told her not to go.

b)

The baby had a cold.

c)

Laurie's dad had to work late.

d)

She was sick herself.

9.

Laurie's mother is concerned that Charles is a bad influence on Laurie. What is Laurie's father's response?

a)

"Bound to be people like Charles in the world. Might as well meet them now as later."

b)

"You worry too much."

c)

"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"

d)

"Let's see if we can have a talk with that teacher."

10.

Laurie's mother went to the P.T.A. meeting because she hoped to meet.....

a)

Laurie's teacher.

b)

Charles.

c)

Charles's mother.

d)

the principal.

11.

When Charles was suddenly good at school, Laurie reported that ....

a)

Charles was the teacher's helper.

b)

Charles's father had come to school.

c)

Charles had a cold.

d)

Charles didn't have any friends.

12.
What is the shocking discovery that Laurie's mother makes when she meets Laurie's teacher?
a)
Charles's behavior is even worse than Laurie had described 
b)
Laurie and Charles are the same person. 
c)
Laurie's behavior has been almost as bad as Charles's
d)
Charles has left the school 
13.
What conclusion can the reader draw about the mother?
a)
She is overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenthood.
b)
She does not think that Laurie’s father is a good parent
c)
She is concerned about how Laurie’s teacher treats children
d)
She does not want to believe that Laurie can be naughty.
14.
How does the first-person point of view affect this story?
a)
It helps the reader to understand the conflict between Laurie’s parents.
b)
It reveals why Charles misbehaves.
c)
It allows the ending to include a surprising twist.
d)
It explains how Laurie feels about kindergarten.
15.

Why do you think Laurie created the imaginary boy Charles?

a)

to keep from getting in trouble for his actions

b)

to gain attention from his stories

c)

both to gain attention and to keep from getting in trouble

d)

none of these

16.

Which of the following is the best summary of "Charles"?

a)

A woman is upset with her son's behavior.

b)

A kindergarten boy causes lots of trouble and surprises

c)

Parents support teachers by disciplining children.

d)

A young boy tells his mother about a rowdy kindergartner in his class.

17.

Which statement below is a main theme of "Charles"?

a)

Never miss a PTA meeting.

b)

It's easier to recognize other people's problems than your own.

c)

Kindergarten is a difficult grade.

18.

What was the author's main purpose for writing this passage?

a)

to entertain with an amusing story

b)

to give information about what kindergarten is like

c)

to descibe how kindergarten students behave

d)

to persuade parents to become involved in schools