Two Short Stories Of Mark Twain Quiz: Challenge Yourself

1. "What Stumped the Blue Jays," what special gift does Jim Baker say that blue jays have over other birds?

Best talkers.

Store the most food.

Eat the most.

Quieter than any other bird.

Jim Baker says that blue jays have the special gift of being the best talkers compared to other birds.

Explanation

Jim Baker says that blue jays have the special gift of being the best talkers compared to other birds.

2. In "What Stumped the Blue Jays," what is Jim Baker's story about?

A group of blue jays who attack a cat.

A blue jay who tries to steal another bird’s eggs.

A blue jay who tries to fill a house with acorns.

Jim Baker's story in "What Stumped the Blue Jays" is about a blue jay who tries to fill a house with acorns.

Explanation

Jim Baker's story in "What Stumped the Blue Jays" is about a blue jay who tries to fill a house with acorns.

3. What is the main purpose of “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall”?

To persuade readers to stop pollution.

To inform readers of scientific facts about autumn leaves.

To explain the origin of macabre fall holidays.

The main purpose of the text "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is to inform readers about the scientific facts related to autumn leaves. The passage likely provides explanations about the biological processes that cause leaves to change color during the fall season. It may discuss topics such as chlorophyll breakdown, pigments, and environmental factors that influence leaf coloration. The goal is to educate readers about the natural phenomenon of autumn leaf color change.

Explanation

The main purpose of the text "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is to inform readers about the scientific facts related to autumn leaves. The passage likely provides explanations about the biological processes that cause leaves to change color during the fall season. It may discuss topics such as chlorophyll breakdown, pigments, and environmental factors that influence leaf coloration. The goal is to educate readers about the natural phenomenon of autumn leaf color change.

4. What is the main purpose of “What Stumped the Blue Jays”?

To entertain readers.

To inform readers.

To persuade readers.

To warn readers.

The main purpose of "What Stumped the Blue Jays" is to entertain readers. This can be inferred from the fact that the story is titled "What Stumped the Blue Jays," suggesting a narrative or fictional element rather than an informational or persuasive one. The purpose of entertaining readers is to engage them and provide enjoyment through storytelling, making this the most fitting explanation for the correct answer.

Explanation

The main purpose of "What Stumped the Blue Jays" is to entertain readers. This can be inferred from the fact that the story is titled "What Stumped the Blue Jays," suggesting a narrative or fictional element rather than an informational or persuasive one. The purpose of entertaining readers is to engage them and provide enjoyment through storytelling, making this the most fitting explanation for the correct answer.

5. According to "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," why does the United States have brighter fall foliage than Europe?

There is too much pollution in Europe.

There are no maple trees in Europe.

The United States has colder nights and drier, sunnier days in fall.

The United States has colder nights and drier, sunnier days in fall, which contributes to brighter fall foliage. The combination of cold temperatures and dry weather triggers chemical changes in the leaves, causing them to turn vibrant colors. Europe may not experience the same weather conditions during fall, resulting in less intense foliage color.

Explanation

The United States has colder nights and drier, sunnier days in fall, which contributes to brighter fall foliage. The combination of cold temperatures and dry weather triggers chemical changes in the leaves, causing them to turn vibrant colors. Europe may not experience the same weather conditions during fall, resulting in less intense foliage color.

6. Which of the following examples reflects Ackerman's style in "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall?"

Her detailed explanation of how the colored leaves fall.

Her humorous description of children playing in the leaves.

Her scholarly explanation of how leafless trees survive the winter.

Ackerman's style in "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is reflected in her detailed explanation of how the colored leaves fall. This suggests that she focuses on providing specific and in-depth information about the topic, rather than using humor or a scholarly approach.

Explanation

Ackerman's style in "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is reflected in her detailed explanation of how the colored leaves fall. This suggests that she focuses on providing specific and in-depth information about the topic, rather than using humor or a scholarly approach.

7. What purpose might have inspired this final sentence of "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall?" Sometimes one finds in fossil stones the imprint of a leaf, long since disintegrated, whose outlines remind us how detailed, vibrant, and alive are the things of this earth that perish.

To make readers angry about the idea of dying.

To provide readers with a sense of wonder about life.

To make readers laugh.

To explain how fossils are formed.

The final sentence of the passage suggests that the purpose behind it is to evoke a sense of wonder about life. It highlights the intricate and vibrant nature of things on Earth that eventually perish, emphasizing their beauty and reminding readers of the ephemeral nature of life. This sentence aims to inspire awe and appreciation for the world around us, rather than anger, humor, or an explanation of fossil formation.

Explanation

The final sentence of the passage suggests that the purpose behind it is to evoke a sense of wonder about life. It highlights the intricate and vibrant nature of things on Earth that eventually perish, emphasizing their beauty and reminding readers of the ephemeral nature of life. This sentence aims to inspire awe and appreciation for the world around us, rather than anger, humor, or an explanation of fossil formation.

8. According to "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," the green chlorophyll in leaves is camouflage, which means that it:

Destroys the other colors in the leaves.

Hides the other colors in the leaves.

Makes the leaves fall off the trees.

Brightens the other colors in the leaves.

The green chlorophyll in leaves acts as camouflage by hiding the other colors in the leaves.

Explanation

The green chlorophyll in leaves acts as camouflage by hiding the other colors in the leaves.

9. Twain’s style in “What Stumped the Blue Jays” is

Serious yet informal.

Humorous and informal.

Detailed and poetic.

Scholarly yet humorous.

In "What Stumped the Blue Jays," Twain's style is characterized by a combination of humor and informality. Throughout the story, Twain uses playful language and witty remarks to entertain the readers. The story is filled with humorous situations and comical dialogue, creating a lighthearted and relaxed tone. Additionally, Twain's use of informal language and colloquial expressions adds to the informal nature of the story. This combination of humor and informality makes "humorous and informal" the correct answer.

Explanation

In "What Stumped the Blue Jays," Twain's style is characterized by a combination of humor and informality. Throughout the story, Twain uses playful language and witty remarks to entertain the readers. The story is filled with humorous situations and comical dialogue, creating a lighthearted and relaxed tone. Additionally, Twain's use of informal language and colloquial expressions adds to the informal nature of the story. This combination of humor and informality makes "humorous and informal" the correct answer.

10. What purpose does the author have for including the following description in "What Stumped the Blue Jays?" You may say a cat uses good grammar. Well, a cat does—but you let a cat get excited once; you let a cat get to pulling fur with another cat on a shed, nights, and you'll hear grammar that will give you the lockjaw.

To improve readers’ grammar.

To inform readers about cats.

To teach readers about fighting.

To make readers laugh.

The author includes the description about a cat using good grammar and then using bad grammar when excited to make readers laugh. This humorous description is not meant to improve readers' grammar, inform them about cats, or teach them about fighting, but rather to entertain them and evoke a humorous response.

Explanation

The author includes the description about a cat using good grammar and then using bad grammar when excited to make readers laugh. This humorous description is not meant to improve readers' grammar, inform them about cats, or teach them about fighting, but rather to entertain them and evoke a humorous response.

11. Which of the following sentences is one of the main ideas of "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall?"

Leaves stop making chlorophyll as summer ends.

Leaves reflect the colors of pumpkins and squash in the fall.

Photosynthesis begins in the fall.

The main idea of "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is that leaves stop making chlorophyll as summer ends. This is supported by the fact that chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of leaves, and when it breaks down, other pigments such as carotenoids and anthocyanins become visible, resulting in the vibrant fall colors. The other options, such as leaves reflecting the colors of pumpkins and squash or photosynthesis beginning in the fall, are not mentioned as main ideas in the given text.

Explanation

The main idea of "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is that leaves stop making chlorophyll as summer ends. This is supported by the fact that chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of leaves, and when it breaks down, other pigments such as carotenoids and anthocyanins become visible, resulting in the vibrant fall colors. The other options, such as leaves reflecting the colors of pumpkins and squash or photosynthesis beginning in the fall, are not mentioned as main ideas in the given text.

12. In "What Stumped the Blue Jays," which of the following characteristics do the blue jays seem to share with human beings?

They always support someone who has made a mistake.

They love to give advice and make fun of each other.

They are greedy and fight over everything.

The blue jays seem to share the characteristic of loving to give advice and make fun of each other with human beings. This suggests that both blue jays and humans enjoy engaging in playful banter and teasing, indicating a similarity in their social behavior.

Explanation

The blue jays seem to share the characteristic of loving to give advice and make fun of each other with human beings. This suggests that both blue jays and humans enjoy engaging in playful banter and teasing, indicating a similarity in their social behavior.

13. What is the meaning of the word guffawed in the following passage from "What Stumped the Blue Jays?" Well, sir, they roosted around here on the house-top and the trees for an hour and guffawed over that thing like human beings.

Stared

Chattered

Frowned

Laughed

In the given passage, the word "guffawed" is used to describe the behavior of the blue jays. The author mentions that they "guffawed over that thing like human beings." This suggests that the blue jays were making loud, boisterous, and perhaps even mocking laughter. Therefore, the correct answer is "laughed."

Explanation

In the given passage, the word "guffawed" is used to describe the behavior of the blue jays. The author mentions that they "guffawed over that thing like human beings." This suggests that the blue jays were making loud, boisterous, and perhaps even mocking laughter. Therefore, the correct answer is "laughed."

14. "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," the author compares people to leopards because she wants to stress:

That leopards are endangered.

That leopards hide.

How powerful people are.

How carefully we must observe nature.

The author compares people to leopards in order to emphasize the importance of observing nature carefully. Just like leopards hide and blend into their environment, the author suggests that people need to pay close attention to the changing colors of leaves in order to fully appreciate and understand the beauty of nature. This comparison highlights the need for careful observation and appreciation of the natural world.

Explanation

The author compares people to leopards in order to emphasize the importance of observing nature carefully. Just like leopards hide and blend into their environment, the author suggests that people need to pay close attention to the changing colors of leaves in order to fully appreciate and understand the beauty of nature. This comparison highlights the need for careful observation and appreciation of the natural world.

15. Ackerman's style in "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall" is:

Serious yet informal.

Humorous and informal.

Detailed and poetic

Scholarly yet humorous.

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Explanation

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16. According to "What Stumped the Blue Jays," blue jays:

Gather in large groups.

Are smarter than cats.

Use bad grammar.

Have no sense of humor.

Blue jays gather in large groups. This is supported by the information provided in the text "What Stumped the Blue Jays." The text does not mention anything about blue jays being smarter than cats, using bad grammar, or having no sense of humor. Therefore, the correct answer is that blue jays gather in large groups.

Explanation

Blue jays gather in large groups. This is supported by the information provided in the text "What Stumped the Blue Jays." The text does not mention anything about blue jays being smarter than cats, using bad grammar, or having no sense of humor. Therefore, the correct answer is that blue jays gather in large groups.