The Monkey's Paw Trivia Quiz
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Why does Morris grow pale after he makes his third wish on the monkey's paw?
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The idea of magic frightens him.
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He is trying not to laugh as he fools his friends.
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He is remembering the horrible effects of his wishes.
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He is ashamed of believing in the monkey's paw.
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Welcome to The Monkey's Paw Trivia Quiz. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of W. W. Jacobs' classic horror short story, The Monkey's Paw. This eerie tale revolves around the White family, who come into possession of a magical monkey's paw that grants three wishes but with horrifying consequences. Through this quiz, you will revisit the chilling narrative, exploring key plot points, character decisions, and the underlying themes of fate, greed, and unintended consequences.
Each question is crafted to challenge your recall and understanding of the story's events, characters, and moral lessons. Whether you have read the story recently or it's been a while, this quiz will help you gauge how well you remember the sinister twists and turns that define this timeless piece of literature. Take a moment to immerse yourself in the macabre world of The Monkey's Paw and see how much you truly know about this haunting tale.
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- 2.
Morris grows pale after his third wish on the monkey's paw because
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He is frightened by the idea of magic.
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He is trying not to laugh as he fools his easily tricked friends.
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He is recalling the horrible effects of his wishes.
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He is ashamed of believing in the power of the monkey's paw.
Correct Answer
A. He is recalling the horrible effects of his wishes.Explanation
Morris grows pale after his third wish on the monkey's paw because he is recalling the horrible effects of his wishes. His reaction indicates that the consequences of his wishes were deeply traumatic and disturbing. This serves as a warning to the White family about the dangerous nature of the paw and foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold. Morris's pale reaction underscores the seriousness of the paw's magic and the severe repercussions that come from using it, emphasizing the story's theme of unintended consequences and the perils of tampering with fate.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What does the man from Maw and Meggins bring to the Whites?
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The body of their son
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Two hundred pounds
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The monkey's paw
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A bill
Correct Answer
A. Two hundred poundsExplanation
The man from Maw and Meggins brings two hundred pounds to the Whites. This amount of money is given as compensation for the death of their son, Herbert, who was killed in a workplace accident. This tragic turn of events directly results from Mr. White's wish for two hundred pounds, highlighting the dark and ironic consequences of their wish. The arrival of the compensation money serves as a grim reminder of the paw's malevolent power and the heavy price of tampering with fate. The Whites' grief and the devastating impact of their wish emphasize the story's themes of loss and unintended consequences.Rate this question:
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- 4.
In “The Monkey's Paw,” what is outside the door after the second wish?
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The man from Maw and Meggins
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Herbert's body, back from the dead
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The holy fakir
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Morris
Correct Answer
A. Herbert's body, back from the deadExplanation
After the second wish in "The Monkey's Paw," Herbert's body, back from the dead, is outside the door. Mrs. White, driven by grief and love for her son, uses the monkey's paw to wish him back to life. The knocking on the door that follows is assumed to be Herbert, resurrected in a horrifying state due to his fatal injuries. This moment is one of the most suspenseful and chilling in the story, emphasizing the dark consequences of using the monkey's paw and the theme of unintended repercussions. Mr. White, realizing the potential horror, uses the final wish to undo the second wish.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What fact about Mrs. White helps you predict what the second wish will be?
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She is a loving mother.
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She does not fear death.
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She does not believe in the monkey's paw.
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She is very angry.
Correct Answer
A. She is a loving mother.Explanation
The fact that Mrs. White is a loving mother helps you predict what the second wish will be. Her deep love and grief for her son, Herbert, lead her to insist on using the monkey's paw to bring him back to life. This maternal instinct and her overwhelming desire to see her son again drive her to make the desperate and emotionally charged second wish. Her love and longing for Herbert are central to her character and foreshadow her actions following his tragic death. This element of the story emphasizes the themes of love, loss, and the lengths to which a parent will go for their child.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The effect of the first wish is foreshadowed when
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There is a crash from the piano, which Herbert is playing.
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Mr. White faints.
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Herbert urges his father to wish to be an emperor.
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Mr. White loses the chess game to his son.
Correct Answer
A. There is a crash from the piano, which Herbert is playing.Explanation
The effect of the first wish is foreshadowed when there is a crash from the piano, which Herbert is playing. This sudden, unexpected noise occurs immediately after Mr. White makes his wish for 200 pounds, creating an ominous atmosphere and hinting at the impending disaster. This detail subtly suggests that the wish will bring about a disruptive and unpleasant outcome. The use of foreshadowing in this moment helps build suspense and sets the stage for the tragic events that follow, reinforcing the story's theme of unintended consequences when meddling with fate.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The man who Morris says wished for death probably did so because
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He had become very ill and was in great pain.
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His wishes had caused horrible things to happen.
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He had wished for everlasting life and did not really want it.
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He had killed everyone he loved with his wishes.
Correct Answer
A. His wishes had caused horrible things to happen.Explanation
The man who Morris says wished for death probably did so because his wishes had caused horrible things to happen. This detail implies that the consequences of the man's previous wishes were so dreadful and unbearable that he sought death as an escape. This reinforces the theme of the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the monkey's paw, emphasizing that tampering with fate can lead to dire and unintended outcomes. The idea that a person would wish for death after experiencing the paw's tragic consequences serves as a stark warning about the perilous allure of getting one's desires through unnatural means.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What does this line spoken by Mr. White help you predict? “It seems to me I've got all I want.”
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That he will wish for a large sum of money
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That the wishes can only change his life for the worse
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That his wife will force him to wish for something
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That he will regret it if he doesn't make a wish
Correct Answer
A. That the wishes can only change his life for the worseExplanation
Mr. White's line, “It seems to me I've got all I want,” helps predict that the wishes can only change his life for the worse. This statement suggests that he is content with his current life and does not desire anything more. It implies a sense of foreboding that making any wishes might disrupt his contentment and bring about negative consequences. This line foreshadows the tragic events that follow after the family makes their wishes on the monkey's paw, highlighting the theme that meddling with fate can lead to undesirable and disastrous outcomes.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which detail foreshadows the effect of the first wish?
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There is a crashing sound from the piano, which Herbert is playing.
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Mr. White faints after the monkey's paw moves in his hand.
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Herbert urges his father to wish to be an emperor.
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Mr. White loses the chess game to his son.
Correct Answer
A. There is a crashing sound from the piano, which Herbert is playing.Explanation
The crashing sound from the piano, which Herbert is playing, foreshadows the effect of the first wish. This sudden, jarring noise occurs immediately after Mr. White makes his wish for 200 pounds, creating an ominous atmosphere and hinting at the impending disaster. This detail subtly suggests that the wish will bring about a disruptive and unpleasant outcome. The use of foreshadowing in this moment helps build suspense and sets the stage for the tragic events that follow, reinforcing the story's theme of unintended consequences when meddling with fate.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What is “The Monkey's Paw” about?
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A retired sergeant major who brings a magical monkey's paw home from India
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An unsuspecting son who dies as a result of his mother's greed
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A monkey's paw that grants three wishes to three different people
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A magical but evil monkey's paw that ruins the quiet life of a family
Correct Answer
A. A magical but evil monkey's paw that ruins the quiet life of a familyExplanation
"The Monkey's Paw" is about a magical but evil monkey's paw that ruins the quiet life of a family. The story revolves around the White family, who come into possession of the monkey's paw through Sergeant-Major Morris. The paw has the power to grant three wishes, but each wish comes with unforeseen and tragic consequences. The tale explores themes of fate, greed, and the danger of interfering with destiny. The White family's life is dramatically altered and ultimately devastated by the wishes they make, emphasizing the story's moral that meddling with fate can lead to disastrous results.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which line foreshadows what happens to Herbert?
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“I don't see the money … and I bet I never shall.”
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“Why, we're going to be rich, and famous, and happy.”
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“If you only cleared the house, you'd be quite happy ….”
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“I expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big bag ….”
Correct Answer
A. “I don't see the money … and I bet I never shall.”Explanation
The line “I don't see the money … and I bet I never shall.” foreshadows what happens to Herbert. This line is spoken by Herbert after his father makes the wish for 200 pounds. It hints at the tragic outcome that Herbert will never live to see the money. This piece of foreshadowing adds a sense of impending doom to the story, preparing the reader for the unfortunate events that follow. The use of such subtle hints enhances the suspense and highlights the themes of fate and the unforeseen consequences of tampering with it.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which line helps you predict that the first wish will come true?
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“I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact.”
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“Never mind, though; there's no harm done.”
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“As I wished it twisted in my hand like a snake.”
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“I expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big bag in the middle of your bed.”
Correct Answer
A. “As I wished it twisted in my hand like a snake.”Explanation
The line “As I wished it twisted in my hand like a snake.” helps predict that the first wish will come true. This line indicates that the monkey's paw reacts physically to Mr. White's wish, suggesting that it possesses a supernatural power. The vivid imagery of the paw twisting like a snake adds an ominous and unsettling tone, foreshadowing that the wish will indeed be granted but with unforeseen consequences. This reaction of the paw sets the stage for the tragic events that follow, emphasizing the theme of the dark and dangerous nature of tampering with fate.Rate this question:
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- 13.
How do Mrs. White and Herbert regard Mr. White?
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As a hopeless romantic
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As a tiresome bore
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As a cruel tyrant
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As a lovable fool
Correct Answer
A. As a lovable foolExplanation
Mrs. White and Herbert regard Mr. White as a lovable fool. They see him as endearing but somewhat naive and easily swayed by whims and fancies, such as the monkey's paw. This perception adds a layer of warmth and humor to their family dynamics, despite the dark events that unfold. Mr. White's gullibility and willingness to believe in the paw's magic set the story in motion, and his family's affectionate but slightly mocking attitude towards him highlights his role as a well-meaning but ultimately flawed character.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which detail foreshadows the results of the third wish?
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The monkey's paw wriggles in Mr. White's grasp.
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Morris urges the Whites to burn the monkey's paw.
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Herbert goes off cheerfully to work.
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Mrs. White claims she could never fear the child she has nursed.
Correct Answer
A. Mrs. White claims she could never fear the child she has nursed.Explanation
Mrs. White's claim that she could never fear the child she has nursed foreshadows the results of the third wish. Her assertion highlights her unconditional love and inability to foresee the potential horror of Herbert returning in a disfigured state. This detail underscores the emotional conflict and foreshadows the terrifying possibility of Herbert's resurrection, which drives Mr. White to make the third wish to prevent his wife from facing the gruesome reality. This foreshadowing builds tension and emphasizes the story's themes of love, loss, and the unforeseen consequences of tampering with fate.Rate this question:
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- 15.
How does the family feel in the morning after Morris's visit?
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Relaxed and relieved
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Anxious and upset
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Angry and confused
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Joyful and amazed
Correct Answer
A. Relaxed and relievedExplanation
In the morning after Morris's visit, the family feels relaxed and relieved. They initially view the monkey's paw and Morris's warnings with skepticism and don't believe in its supposed powers. The relaxed and relieved mood reflects their disbelief and the normalcy of their morning routine, which contrasts sharply with the dark turn of events that will soon unfold. This initial calmness adds to the suspense and irony of the story, as the family is unaware of the tragic consequences that their wish will soon bring.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Jun 04, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Sep 29, 2011Quiz Created by
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