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The Scarlet Ibis

Total questions: 88

Worksheet time: 2hrs 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The storm that brings in the scarlet ibis represents
a)
increasing conflict to come later in the story. 
b)
the bad weather in North Carolina, where the story takes place. 
c)
that hurricane season is quickly approaching. 
d)
how exotic birds often flock according to the seasons. 
2.
The quote, "Such a name sounds good only on a tombstone" is an example of
a)
Mood
b)
Suspense
c)
Internal Conflict
d)
Foreshadowing
3.
Why did the narrator cry at Doodle's birthday, when Doodle showed everyone how he could walk? 
a)
He was overcome with joy, like the rest of his family. 
b)
He had a rough day at school that morning. 
c)
He was jealous that Doodle was getting more attention than he was. 
d)
He felt guilty for teaching Doodle to walk for his own personal gain. 
4.

When Doodle is born, the brother's reaction to his new sibling is that of

a)

terror and fear.

b)

joy and excitement.

c)

worry and anxiety.

d)

disappointment and sorrow.

5.

What is the narrator's main motivation for his desire to help Doodle walk?

a)

insecurity.

b)

pride.

c)

safety.

d)

family.

6.

The way the reader feels while reading the story is called...

a)

Tone

b)

Mood

c)

Irony

d)

Foreshadowing

7.
The scarlet ibis symbolizes Doodle in that both the child and the bird are...
a)
able to move very quickly
b)
trying to learn to fly
c)
rare, beautiful and fragile
d)
very fond of being outside
8.

What words does Doodle say to the narrator multiple times in the story? (What is an example of repetition?)

a)

"Help me, brother!"

b)

"Leave me alone, brother!"

c)

"Don't leave me, brother!"

d)

"I can't, brother!"

9.

What does the color RED symbolize?

a)

Roses; birds; Doodle

b)

The ibis; warning/danger & love

c)

Anger; caul; mahogany coffin

d)

Friendship; Doodle; love

10.

What does THE HURRICANE symbolize?

a)

Swamp; drowning; perseverance

b)

Violence; death; impending doom

c)

The ibis; Doodle; Brother's love

d)

Determination; high expectations

11.

What does THE CAUL symbolize?

a)

Uniqueness; innocence; a bird's egg

b)

Death

c)

Birth and life

d)

Infancy; dependence; weakness

12.

What do the BLACK CLOUDS symbolize?

a)

Fear and emptiness

b)

Violence; decay; suffering

c)

Impending death, doom, and darkness

d)

A passing storm

13.

What does THE PEACOCK in Doodle's story symbolize?

a)

Pride, arrogance and superiority

b)

Friendship, closeness, and innocence

c)

Love, protection, and safety

d)

Lies, deception, and dishonesty

14.

Which is an accurate setting of the story?

a)

1920, during the Roaring Golden era in the North

b)

1999, during the technological boom in the South

c)

1918, during WWI in the South

d)

1819, in the North

15.

Who is telling the story?

a)

Doodle's older brother in 1st person Point Of View

b)

Doodle's dad in 1st person POV

c)

Doodle's mom in 3rd person Limited POV

d)

An outside 3rd person omniscient narrator

16.

What mood is established in the beginning of the story with the words "rotting", "graveyard", "stained", "empty" and "summer was dead" ?

a)

violent

b)

somber

c)

mysterious

d)

curious

17.

In lines 39-44, it's evident that the tone changes from...

a)

excited to bitter

b)

angry to grateful

c)

disappointment to remorseful

d)

bitter to excited

18.

How does the author emphasize the beauty of the setting?

a)

Alliteration - "We were down in Old Woman Swamp and it was spring and the sick-sweet smell of bay flowers hung everywhere like a mournful song."

b)

Simile-"Keeping a nice secret is very hard to do, like holding your breath."

c)

Hyperbole- "We danced together quite well until she came down on my big toe with her brogans, hurting me so badly, I thought I was crippled for life."

d)

Oxymoron- "I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing"

19.

Define "burden"

He was a burden in many ways.

a)

something helpful

b)

where a bird lives

c)

a weight, or pressure

d)

being free or liberated

20.

Define "serene"

Of course, I was old enough to know this wouldn’t work out, but the picture he painted was so beautiful and serene that all I could do was whisper Yes, yes.

a)

cute, pretty

b)

calm; not agitated

c)

bright, illuminated

d)

colorful, flashy

21.

Define "Infallible"

Once I had succeeded in teaching Doodle to walk, I began to believe in my own infallibility

a)

strength, power

b)

super powers

c)

can not fail; incapable of error

d)

patience, teaching ability

22.
The storm that brings in the scarlet ibis represents
a)
increasing conflict to come later in the story. 
b)
the bad weather in North Carolina, where the story takes place. 
c)
that hurricane season is quickly approaching. 
d)
how exotic birds often flock according to the seasons. 
23.
The narrator's desire to help Doodle walk are driven by all of the following EXCEPT
a)
insecurity. 
b)
pride. 
c)
safety. 
d)
family. 
24.
What do the graveyard flowers at the beginning of the story communicate? 
a)
The cemetery hired a new florist. 
b)
There will most likely be a death. 
c)
It is the best time of the year to plant a garden. 
d)
The narrator loved to grow things. 
25.
The quote, "Such a name sounds good only on a tombstone" is an example of
a)
Mood
b)
Suspense
c)
Internal Conflict
d)
Foreshadowing
26.
Why did the narrator cry at Doodle's birthday, when Doodle showed everyone how he could walk? 
a)
He was overcome with joy, like the rest of his family. 
b)
He had a rough day at school that morning. 
c)
He was jealous that Doodle was getting more attention than he was. 
d)
He felt guilty for teaching Doodle to walk for his own personal gain. 
27.
Doodle gets his nickname because
a)
William Armstrong did not fit his personality. 
b)
he crawled backwards like a doodle bug. 
c)
both are correct. 
d)
neither are correct. 
28.
When Doodle is born, the brother's reaction to his new sibling is that of
a)
terror and fear. 
b)
joy and excitement. 
c)
worry and anxiety. 
d)
disappointment and sorrow. 
29.
Doodle and his big brother spend most of their time together
a)
watching movies and playing video games. 
b)
helping their father build and work on the farm. 
c)
daydreaming and imaging their future by the swamp. 
d)
testing their athleticism by racing each other for sport. 
30.
Doodle's go cart (wagon) symbolizes everything EXCEPT
a)
his disability. 
b)
the burden his brother deals with. 
c)
his family's ability to adapt to his situation. 
d)
his freedom and independence. 
31.
Aunt Nicey is a woman who
a)
has a lot of faith and hope. 
b)
does not think disabled children are worth the time of day. 
c)
abandoned her religion after Doodle was born. 
d)
convinced the rest of the family that Doodle would eventually die. 
32.

Who is the narrator of the story?

a)

Mama

b)

Daddy

c)

Brother

d)

Doodle

33.

All of these are key points from the story, but which is the best theme?

a)

Don't push people too hard.

b)

Loving someone isn't always easy.

c)

It's important to be nice to your sibling.

d)

Pride can cause people to be cruel even to those they love.

34.

Based on the excerpt below, which answer choice gives indirect characterization about Doodle's parents?

"...when he was three months old Mama and Daddy decided they might as well name him."

a)

Doodle's parents did not expect him to live, so they did not give him a name.

b)

Doodle's parents had trouble coming up with a name.

c)

Doodle's parents did not believe in naming a child until three months old.

d)

Doodle's parents did not want another child.

35.

Why does Brother cry when everyone is celebrating that Doodle can walk?

a)

He is upset about not getting attention from his parents

b)

Aunt Nicey stepped on his toe with her brogans

c)

He feels guilty for teaching Doodle to walk for selfish reasons

d)

He is happy for Doodle and can't believe they were successful

36.

Why does Doodle bury the scarlet ibis?

a)

Dad tells him to do it

b)

Brother makes him do it

c)

He can't eat dessert until the bird is buried

d)

He feels compassion toward the bird

37.

Which of the following interrupted the family's dinner?

a)

An injured scarlet ibis croaked loudly from the tree.

b)

Aunt Nicey insisted on praying with the family.

c)

Doodle's doctor called with new information.

d)

The thunderstorm caused an abrupt power outage.

38.

Which of the following quotes illustrate the narrator’s main conflict in "The Scarlet Ibis"?

a)

“I would teach [Doodle] to run, to swim, to climb trees, and to fight.”

b)

“How many miles [the ibis] had traveled to die like this, in our yard, beneath the bleeding tree.”

c)

“…I was ashamed of having a crippled brother.”

d)

“… nobody expects much from someone called Doodle.”

39.

Which of the following is a rising action in the story?

a)

Doodle slips off a rope-bridge.

b)

Doodle trips running home in the rain.

c)

Doodle gets hit by a car.

d)

Doodle dies peacefully in his sleep.

40.

Which choice best explains how the ibis symbolizes Doodle?

a)

Both are weak and cannot survive a harsh environment.

b)

They both touch the bleeding tree.

c)

Both come from North Carolina.

d)

They both have unusual names.

41.

What does the narrator force Doodle to touch?

a)

his weak knees

b)

a dead rat

c)

his casket

d)

an oak tree

42.

Which is an example of a simile?

a)

"Laughter pealing through the swamp like a ringing bell."

b)

"My lies were scary, involved, and usually pointless."

c)

"As long as he lay all the time in bed."

d)

"We shaded our eyes with our hands against the hazy glare of the sun..."

43.

"...lightning was playing across half the sky and thunder roared out, hiding even the sound of the sea."

This is an example of ______.

a)

metaphor

b)

personification

c)

simile

44.

Which surprise do the boys present to the family?

a)

A pet bird

b)

Doodle wants to go to school

c)

Brother destroyed the coffin

d)

Doodle can walk

45.

William Armstrong is which character's real name?

a)

Daddy

b)

Brother

c)

Doodle

d)

Aunt Nicey

46.

What does rain mostly symbolize in the story?

a)

tears of joy

b)

sign of sadness

c)

love pouring out

d)

severe weather

47.

Which is an example of situational irony?

a)

The scarlet ibis falling through the bleeding tree

b)

Aunt Nicey praying

c)

The scarlet ibis being in North Carolina

d)

Doodle burying the scarlet ibis

48.

In "The Scarlet Ibis," why does the narrator rename his brother Doodle?

a)

People expect too much of someone named William Armstrong.

b)

The little boy does not like to be called William Armstrong.

c)

The little boy crawls backward like a doodle-bug

d)

Doodle is an old family nickname.

49.

Why is the narrator's brother three months old before he is named?

a)

His parents cannot agree on a name.

b)

It is traditional to wait three months before naming a baby.

c)

Everybody thinks the baby will die.

d)

The baby first has to be baptized.

50.

What prompts the narrator to show Doodle the coffin?

a)

The narrator thinks that Doodle will find it amusing.

b)

He intends to shut Doodle up inside the coffin as a joke.

c)

He has a cruel streak that surfaces occasionally.

d)

He wants to impress on Doodle how surprised they all were that Doodle survived.

51.

Once Doodle has learned to walk, what motivates the narrator to persist with Doodle's development program?

a)

His belief in his own infallibility

b)

His belief in Doodle's infallibility

c)

His sympathy for Doodle

d)

His defiance of his parents

52.

Which passage from "The Scarlet Ibis" best illustrates a feeling of triumph?

a)

". . . I put him on his feet at least a hundred times each afternoon."

b)

"And before I'll help you down from the loft, you're going to have to touch it."

c)

"Finally I could see I was licked. Doodle was my brother and he was going to cling to me forever."

d)

"There wasn't a sound as Doodle walked slowly across the room and sat down at his place at the table."

53.

Who or what is the main symbol in "The Scarlet Ibis"?

a)

Doodle

b)

Death

c)

The Scarlet Ibis

d)

The seasons

54.

Which line most clearly indicates what the scarlet Ibis symbolizes?

a)

"At that moment the bird began to flutter, but the wings were uncoordinated . . ."

b)

"Its long, graceful neck jerked twice into an S, then it straightened out, and the bird was still."

c)

"Even death did not mar its grace, for it lay on the earth like a broken vase of red flowers . . ."

d)

"For a long time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain."

55.

In "The Scarlet Ibis," how does the weather contribute to the atmosphere, or mood?

a)

The weather creates a mood of confinement.

b)

The weather seems reliable and reassuring.

c)

The weather seems threatening and unpredictable.

d)

The weather creates a feeling of lightheartedness.

56.

Which passage from "The Scarlet Ibis" conveys a feeling of optimism?

a)

"Hope no longer hid in the dark palmetto thicket but perched like a cardinal in the lacy toothbrush tree, brilliantly visible."

b)

"Then when the slanted rays of the sun burned orange in the tops of the pines, we'd drop our jewels into the stream and watch them float away toward the sea."

c)

"But sometimes (like right now), as I sit in the cool, green-draped parlor, the grindstone begins to turn, and time with all its changes is ground away . . ."

d)

". . . The peacock spread his magnificent tail, enfolding the boy gently like a closing go-to-sleep flower, burying him in the gloriously iridescent, rustling vortex."

57.

What is the main lesson of the relationship of the two brothers in "The Scarlet Ibis"?

a)

To appreciate a brother or sister for who they are.

b)

To teach someone how to do something.

c)

To tease a brother or sister.

d)

To be cruel when you get upset.

58.
The storm that brings in the scarlet ibis represents
a)
increasing conflict to come later in the story. 
b)
the bad weather in North Carolina, where the story takes place. 
c)
that hurricane season is quickly approaching. 
d)
how exotic birds often flock according to the seasons. 
59.
The narrator's desire to help Doodle walk are driven by all of the following EXCEPT
a)
insecurity. 
b)
pride. 
c)
safety. 
d)
family. 
60.
What do the graveyard flowers at the beginning of the story communicate? 
a)
The cemetery hired a new florist. 
b)
There will most likely be a death. 
c)
It is the best time of the year to plant a garden. 
d)
The narrator loved to grow things. 
61.
Doodle gets his nickname because
a)
William Armstrong did not fit his personality. 
b)
he crawled backwards like a doodle bug. 
c)
both are correct. 
d)
neither are correct. 
62.
Doodle and his big brother spend most of their time together
a)
watching movies and playing video games. 
b)
helping their father build and work on the farm. 
c)
daydreaming and imaging their future by the swamp. 
d)
testing their athleticism by racing each other for sport. 
63.
What birth name was given to Doodle?
a)
Robert Armstrong
b)
William Armstrong
c)
George Armstrong
d)
Alfred Armstrong
64.
The narrator wanted a brother because he wanted to 
a)
be able to show off
b)
have a companion
c)
have someone to boss around
d)
prove that be could be responsible
65.
What did Brother force Doodle to do in order to leave the barn loft?
a)
Touch the coffin
b)
Jump into a pile of hay
c)
Lick the poison
d)
Climb the blood tree
66.
Why does Doodle bury the scarlet ibis?
a)
Dad tells him to do it
b)
the narrator makes him do it
c)
he can't eat cobbler until the bird is buried
d)
he feels compassion toward the bird
67.
The scarlet ibis symbolizes Doodle in that both the child and the bird are...
a)
able to move very quickly
b)
trying to learn to fly
c)
rare, beautiful and fragile
d)
very fond of being outside
68.
What was peculiar about the way Doodle crawled?
a)
he never learned to crawl
b)
he rolled instead of crawled
c)
he crawled backwards
d)
he started crawling before he was one
69.
Is the following sentence a simile or a metaphor? "his eyes popped round like two blue buttons"
a)
Simile
b)
Metaphor
70.

What does the scarlet ibis symbolize?

a)

Doodle

b)

The narrator

c)

Aunty Nicey

d)

Hope

71.
The inciting incident of the story happens when
a)
Doodle is named William Armstrong.
b)
Doodle crawls backwards.
c)
Aunt Nicey says Doodle will live.
d)
Brother realizes Doodle is born with physical challenges and he is ashamed of him.
72.
The internal conflict comes from Brother's...
a)
cruelty.
b)
pride.
c)
guilt.
d)
All of these are correct
73.
Examples of symbols in the story include:
a)
the coffin (death)
b)
the storm (inner "storm" or turmoil)
c)
the scarlet ibis (Doodle)
d)
All of these are correct
74.
All of these are "take-aways" from the story, but which is the best THEME STATEMENT (it's deep!)?
a)
Don't push people too hard.
b)
Loving someone isn't always easy.
c)
It's important to be nice to your sibling.
d)
Pride can cause people to be cruel even to those they love.
75.

How does the author emphasize the beauty of the setting?

a)

Alliteration - "We were down in Old Woman Swamp and it was spring and the sick-sweet smell of bay flowers hung everywhere like a mournful song."

b)

Simile-"Keeping a nice secret is very hard to do, like holding your breath."

c)

Hyperbole- "We danced together quite well until she came down on my big toe with her brogans, hurting me so badly, I thought I was crippled for life."

d)

Oxymoron- "I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing"

76.
The storm that brings in the scarlet ibis represents
a)
increasing conflict to come later in the story. 
b)
the bad weather in North Carolina, where the story takes place. 
c)
that hurricane season is quickly approaching. 
d)
how exotic birds often flock according to the seasons. 
77.
Why did the narrator cry at Doodle's birthday, when Doodle showed everyone how he could walk? 
a)
He was overcome with joy, like the rest of his family. 
b)
He had a rough day at school that morning. 
c)
He was jealous that Doodle was getting more attention than he was. 
d)
He felt guilty for teaching Doodle to walk for his own personal gain. 
78.
Who is the protagonist of the "The Scarlet Ibis" ?
a)
Doodle
b)
Brother
79.
Why does Brother help with Doodle's development program? (What is his motivation?)
a)
He feels sorry for Doodle.
b)
He is proud of Doodle.
c)
He is proud of his own accomplishments and likes the attention.
80.
Seeing the coffin, Doodle's collapse, the storm brewing, and the dead scarlet ibis are all examples of...
a)
flashback
b)
foreshadowing
c)
epiphany
d)
mood
81.
The internal conflict comes from Brother's...
a)
cruelty.
b)
pride.
c)
guilt.
d)
All of these are correct
82.
Examples of symbols in the story include:
a)
the coffin (death)
b)
the storm (inner "storm" or turmoil)
c)
the scarlet ibis (Doodle)
d)
All of these are correct
83.
Doodle is symbolically linked to the scarlet ibis. How do you know?
a)
It was beautiful, but weak and could not live in a harsh environment (just like Doodle).
b)
It could fly and Doodle loved birds.
c)
It was well-liked as so was Doodle.
d)
It had an unusual name, just like Doodle.
84.
We don't know exactly how Doodle dies, but the IMAGE of his death is very important. Why?
a)
He is alone.
b)
He is in the rain.
c)
He is red with blood and looks like the scarlet ibis.
85.
TONE is the attitude the writer takes toward the subject/characters in the story.
The MOOD and/or TONE of "The Scarlet Ibis" is
a)
silly and joyful
b)
angry and outraged
c)
funny and happy
d)
sad and regretful
86.
The story explores the two sides of human nature. Even though Brother is sometimes nice to Doodle, he is more often cruel. Doodle ultimately pays the price for Brother's negative human traits. The quote from the story that best supports this dual nature is...
a)
"Keeping a nice secret is hard to do."
b)
"He was a burden in many ways."
c)
"I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life and death."
d)
"I began to week, and the tear-blurred vision in red before me looked very familiar."
87.
Birds are mentioned 28 times in the story. What kinds of birds?
a)
ibis, orioles, cardinals, hawks
b)
screech owls, cardinal peacocks, egrets
c)
swamp birds, chickens, crows
d)
All of these birds are mentioned in the story!
88.
All of these are "take-aways" from the story, but which is the best THEME STATEMENT (it's deep!)?
a)
Don't push people too hard.
b)
Loving someone isn't always easy.
c)
It's important to be nice to your sibling.
d)
Pride can cause people to be cruel even to those they love.