Test: The Piece of String (Pages 1-2)

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where did the rich people gather after market day?

   a) The mayor's office

   b) A great big hall

   c) The church

   d) The village square

2. What sound interrupted the meal?

   a) A bell ringing

   b) Shouting

   c) A drumbeat

   d) Music playing

3. What item was announced as lost?

   a) A piece of string

   b) A horse

   c) A black leather pocketbook

   d) A cart

4. Approximately what time was the pocketbook lost?

   a) In the afternoon

   b) Between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning

   c) At lunchtime

   d) Late at night

5. What reward was offered for returning the pocketbook?

   a) 5 shillings

   b) 20 shillings

   c) 100 shillings

   d) 500 shillings

6. Who asked Mr. Hubert to accompany him to the mayor's office?

   a) Mr. James

   b) The drumbeater

   c) Mr. Manana

   d) The Chief of the police

7. Who did the mayor claim saw Mr. Hubert pick up the pocketbook?

   a) Mr. James

   b) George

   c) Mr. Manana

   d) The police chief

8. What did Mr. Hubert actually pick up from the ground?

   a) A coin

   b) A pocketbook

   c) A piece of string

   d) A business paper

9. How did the mayor react to Hubert's explanation about the string?

   a) He believed him immediately

   b) He laughed

   c) He shook his head and didn't believe him

   d) He asked Mr. Manana again

10. What did Mr. Hubert do to try and prove his honesty to the mayor?

    a) Showed the string

    b) Lifted his hand and spat

    c) Swore on his soul and salvation

    d) All of the above

11. What did the mayor accuse Hubert of doing after picking up the 'object'?

    a) Running away quickly

    b) Hiding it in his pocket

    c) Looking in the mud for money

    d) Showing it to others

12. What happened when Mr. Hubert was searched at his own request?

    a) The string was found

    b) The pocketbook was found

    c) Nothing was found on him

    d) Some money was found

13. What warning did the mayor give Hubert upon discharging him?

    a) To leave town

    b) To find the real thief

    c) That he would consult the public prosecutor

    d) To pay a fine

14. How did the people outside the mayor's office react to Hubert's story?

    a) They believed him

    b) They were sympathetic

    c) They laughed at him

    d) They ignored him

15. What did people call Mr. Hubert as he tried to explain?

    a) Honest man

    b) Poor fellow

    c) Old rascal

    d) Mr. Mayor

16. What general reaction did Hubert meet with when telling his story in the village?

    a) Belief

    b) Anger

    c) Incredulity (disbelief)

    d) Sympathy

17. Who returned the pocketbook the next day?

    a) Mr. Hubert

    b) Mr. Manana

    c) George

    d) The Mayor

18. Why did George give the pocketbook to his employer?

    a) He wanted the reward

    b) He didn't know who it belonged to

    c) He couldn't read

    d) His employer told him to

19. How did Mr. Hubert feel when he learned the pocketbook was returned?

    a) Angry

    b) Indifferent

    c) In triumph

    d) Suspicious

20. What did Mr. Hubert say grieved him the most about the incident?

    a) Losing the string

    b) Being searched

    c) Being called a liar

    d) The mayor's attitude

21. Even after the pocketbook was returned, what did people say behind Hubert's back?

    a) 'He was innocent after all.'

    b) 'Those are lying excuses.'

    c) 'Mr. Manana was wrong.'

    d) 'George should get the reward.'

22. How did the ongoing disbelief affect Mr. Hubert?

    a) He became angry

    b) He left the village

    c) He felt shame and wasted away

    d) He accused Mr. Manana

23. How did people begin to tell the story of the string?

    a) As a lesson

    b) To praise Hubert

    c) To amuse themselves

    d) As a warning

Synonyms (Multiple Choice)

Choose the best synonym for the given word, based on its use in the text.

1. Appetizing

   a) Foul

   b) Making hungry/Appealing

   c) Weak

2. Ceased

   a) Started

   b) Grown louder

   c) Stopped

3. Attentive

   a) Distracted

   b) Paying close attention

   c) Asleep

4. Inhabitants

   a) Visitors

   b) Owners

   c) Residents

5. Concluded

   a) Begun

   b) Finished/Ended

   c) Been served

6. Accompany

   a) Go with

   b) Follow behind

   c) Send away

7. Stout

   a) Thin

   b) Tall

   c) Heavyset/Stocky

8. Astounded

   a) Pleased

   b) Greatly surprised/Shocked

   c) Calm

9. Terrified

   a) Annoyed

   b) Very frightened

   c) Bored

10. Credence

    a) Disbelief

    b) Belief/Trustworthiness

    c) Wealth

11. Attest

    a) Question

    b) Confirm/Declare true

    c) Hide

12. Exasperating

    a) Calming

    b) Intensely irritating

    c) Quiet

13. Indignation

    a) Joy

    b) Anger at unfairness

    c) Sadness

14. Protesting

    a) Agreeing

    b) Celebrating

    c) Objecting/Disagreeing

15. Maintained

    a) Denied

    b) Insisted/Asserted

    c) Forgot

16. Discharged

    a) Arrested

    b) Released/Allowed to leave

    c) Fined

17. Curiosity

    a) Indifference

    b) Eagerness to know

    c) Anger

18. Rascal

    a) Hero

    b) Mischievous person/Scoundrel

    c) Wise man

19. Incredulity

    a) Belief

    b) Disbelief

    c) Applause

20. Triumph

    a) Sorrow

    b) Defeat

    c) Great victory/Joy

21. Grieved

    a) Pleased

    b) Caused sorrow/Distress

    c) Amused

22. Disgrace

    a) Honor

    b) Loss of respect/Shame

    c) Pride

23. Consumed

    a) Strengthened

    b) Used up/Destroyed (emotionally)

    c) Shared

24. Amuse

    a) Bore

    b) Educate

    c) Entertain

Short Answer Questions

Provide your answers in the text boxes below.

1. What kind of food was served at the meal in the great hall?
2. What were the contents of the lost pocketbook?
3. Who was Mr. James, mentioned in the announcement?
4. Describe the mayor's appearance and demeanor.
5. How did Mr. Hubert react initially when accused by the mayor?
6. What exactly did Mr. Hubert say Mr. Manana saw him pick up?
7. Why did the mayor find it hard to believe that Mr. Manana mistook a string for a pocketbook?
8. What emotions did Mr. Hubert feel when choked with indignation?
9. What was the result of the search conducted on Mr. Hubert?
10. How did Mr. Hubert try to prove his innocence to people after leaving the mayor's office?
11. What was the general response Hubert received from the villagers he spoke to?
12. Who returned the pocketbook and what reason was given for the delay?
13. What did Mr. Hubert consider more shameful than the incident itself?
14. Even after the truth was known, how did people interpret Hubert's continued explanations?
15. Describe the effect of the townspeople's disbelief on Mr. Hubert's well-being (as described on page 2).