wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

"The Monkey's Paw" Test

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

How does the following paragraph add to the development of Mr. White?

"That’s the worst of living so far out," bawled Mr. White, with sudden and unlooked-for violence; "of all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to live in, this is the worst. Pathway’s a bog, and the road’s a torrent. I don’t know what people are thinking about. I suppose because only two houses in the road are let, they think it doesn’t matter."

a)
A. It shows Mr. White’s frustration with losing in friendly competition.
b)
B. It explains the specific location of the White household, which is important.
c)
C. It demonstrates Mr. White’s unhappiness with his current lot in life.
d)
D. It shows the Whites’ mistrust in other people and disdain for society.
2.

What do the following lives mainly reveal about Mrs. White?

Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire...

Never mind, dear,” said his wife soothingly; “perhaps you’ll win the next one.”

a)
A. She is typically a busy-body and does not have time for her family.
b)
B. She is elderly and needs her husband and son to care for her often.
c)
C. She is typically more reserved and passive than her husband.
d)
D. She cares about etiquette and properness more than Mr. White.
3.

What is most likely the author's intent in the following passage?

The soldier regarded him in the way that middle age is wont to regard presumptuous youth. “I have,” he said, quietly, and his blotchy face whitened.

a)
A. To show that the soldier does not want to be visiting the White family
b)
B. To add humor to the story by calling attention to odd behavior
c)
C. To call the reader’s attention to the soldier’s dislike for the young boy and his question
d)
D. To foreshadow the unfortunate events that will later happen because of the paw
4.

How could you define credulity as it is used in the passage below?

His father, smiling shamefacedly at his own credulity, held up the talisman, as his son, with a solemn face, somewhat marred by a wink at his mother, sat down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords.

a)
A. extreme disbelief
b)
B. firm faith in magic
c)
C. absurd expectations
d)
D. quickness to believe
5.
5. Which of the following selections best identifies a theme of the story?
a)
A. Never place your trust in strangers.
b)
B. Don't attempt to change fate
c)
C. Be careful with the unknown.
d)
D. Familial bonds are everlasting.
6.
6. Which sentence from the text best supports the theme identified in question 5?
a)
A. “Hold it up in your right hand and wish aloud,” said the sergeant-major, “but I warn you of the consequences.”
b)
B. “If the tale of the monkey’s paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us,” said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest... “we sha’nt make much out of it.”
c)
C. A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him.
d)
D. “Bring him back,” cried the old woman, and dragged him toward the door. “Do you think I fear the child I have nursed?”
7.
7. Which of the following most closely describes the tone at breakfast the morning after the family has received the monkey’s paw?
a)
A. light-hearted
b)
B. suspenseful
c)
C. dark
d)
D. joyful
8.
8. Which sentence from the text best supports the answer to question 7?
a)
A. “The fourth time he stood with his hand upon it, and then with sudden resolution flung it open and walked up the path.”
b)
B. “...and the dirty, shrivelled paw was pitched on the sideboard with a carelessness which betokened no great belief in its virtues.”
c)
C. “‘I dare say,’ said Mr. White, pouring himself out some beer; ‘but for all that, the thing moved in my hand; that I’ll swear to.’”
d)
D. “She was watching the mysterious movements of a man outside, who, peering in an undecided fashion at the house, appeared to be trying to make up his mind to enter.”
9.

Which meaning of the word resignation most closely matches its meaning in the following excerpt?

But the days passed, and expectation gave place to resignation--the hopeless resignation of the old, sometimes miscalled, apathy. Sometimes they hardly exchanged a word, for now they had nothing to talk about, and their days were long to weariness.

a)
A. noun | the act of retiring or giving up a position
b)
B. noun | acceptance of something undesirable or inevitable
c)
C. noun | a document stating someone’s intent of quitting or standing down
d)
D. none of the above
10.

Match the quote to the character who said it.

a)

"Better let it burn."

1.

Sergeant Major Morris

b)

"It's my boy! It's Herbert!"

2.

Mrs. White

c)

"Well don't break into the money before I come back."

3.

Herbert White

d)

"I dare say. But for all that, the thing moved n my hand; that I'll swear to."

4.

Mr. White