WorksheetsThe Monkey's Paw
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 5mins
What event at the beginning of the story triggers the action of the plot?
The old lady knitting quietly by the fire
Mr. White playing chess with his son
The arrival of Sergeant-Major Morris
The cold and wet night outside
How does the Sergeant-Major's story about the monkey's paw propel the action of the plot?
It introduces the characters' curiosity about the paw's magical abilities.
It reveals the history of the paw and its previous owners.
It creates suspense by foreshadowing potential consequences of using the paw.
It provokes a decision in the characters to make their wishes.
What do we learn about Mr. White's character from his reaction to losing the chess game?
He is a sore loser and gets angry easily.
He is a competitive person who hates to lose.
He is a caring father who tries to protect his son from making mistakes.
He is a playful and humorous person, despite his serious chess skills.
What does the description of Sergeant-Major Morris reveal about his character?
He is a brave and heroic soldier who fought in wars.
He is a cautious and skeptical person who doesn't believe in magic.
He is a mysterious and secretive man who is haunted by the monkey's paw.
He is a friendly and outgoing person who enjoys sharing stories with others.
What provokes Mr. White's decision to make his first wish with the monkey's paw?
Sergeant-Major Morris's warning about the consequences of using the paw
His desire to win money and become rich
His son's playful suggestion to wish for something extravagant
His wife's insistence that they try to bring their deceased son back to life
What incident prompts Mr. White to use his second wish?
Hearing a knock at the door in the middle of the night
Witnessing the paw move like a snake in his hand
Seeing his wife become upset and distressed
Finding the monkey's paw on the floor after his first wish
What effect does the difference in Mr. and Mrs. White's points of view have on the story?
It creates suspense as the audience wonders which one will use the paw first.
It adds humor to the story as they playfully argue about what to wish for.
It heightens the dramatic tension as they debate the consequences of using the paw.
It leads to confusion as the audience tries to understand their different perspectives.
How does the audience's knowledge of Herbert's fate create suspense in the story?
The audience knows that Herbert is dead, but the characters don't, leading to dramatic irony.
The audience is aware of the monkey's paw's powers, making them fear the characters' future wishes.
The audience is comfortable in the knowledge that Herbert has died.
The audience understands the well dressed man’s hesitancy at knocking at the White’s door.
Which of the following lines of text support the inference that the monkey's paw is a dangerous and unpredictable object?
"He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who tried to change it would be sorry."
"His three listeners leaned forward excitedly."
"The little family circle listened with growing interest to this visitor from distant parts."
"The soldier looked at him the way that the middle-aged usually look at disrespectful youth."
Which line of dialogue from the story supports the idea that Mr. White is hesitant about using the monkey's paw?
"What was that that you started telling me the other day about a monkey’s paw or something, Morris?"
"I did have some idea of selling it, but I don’t think I will. It has caused me enough trouble already."
"Go get it quickly, and wish – Oh my boy, my boy!"
"It is foolish and wicked," he said weakly.
What evidence from the text shows that Mr. White's second wish is influenced by his wife’s grief and desperation?
"I only just thought of it. Why didn’t I think of it before? Why didn’t you think of it?"
“Go and get it and wish,” cried his wife, quivering with excitement.
"The knocking stopped suddenly, although the echoes of it were still in the house."
"The talisman fell to the floor, and he looked at it fearfully."
How does the text support the idea that Mrs. White is willing to accept the consequences of the second wish to bring her son back?
"She cried and laughed together, and bending over, kissed his cheek."
“Don’t let it in,” cried the old man, trembling.
"The old man, with an unspeakable sense of relief at the failure of the talisman."
“I forgot it was two miles away. What are you holding me for? Let go. I must open the door.”
What evidence from the text suggests that the wishes made with the monkey's paw come with negative consequences?
"The talisman was in its place on the shelf, and then a horrible fear came over him that the unspoken wish might bring the broken body of his son before him before he could escape from the room."
“I don’t know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That’s how I got the paw.”
"If only he could find it before the thing outside got in."
All of the above.
What effect does the author's use of foreshadowing have on the story?
It creates humor by hinting at the characters' playful interactions with the paw.
It builds suspense by suggesting potential consequences of using the paw.
It adds drama by revealing the tragic fate of Herbert before the story ends.
It provides insight into the characters' motivations and desires.
Which inference can be drawn from the ending of the story?
The monkey's paw was a harmless and useless object all along.
The characters will learn from their mistakes and avoid using the paw again.
The characters' lives will be haunted by the consequences of their wishes.
The characters will move on from their grief and find peace with their loss.
