Two Short Stories Of Mark Twain Quiz: Challenge Yourself
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“What Stumped the Blue Jays,” what special gift does Jim Baker say that blue jays have over other birds?
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Best talkers.
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Store the most food.
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Eat the most.
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Quieter than any other bird.
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Step into Mark Twain's literary world with the 'Two Short Stories of Mark Twain Quiz.' This challenge invites you to explore and test your knowledge of the iconic author's captivating tales. Immerse yourself in classic storytelling, embrace the wit and wisdom of Twain, and see if you can conquer this quiz inspired by two of his timeless short stories. This quiz features questions based on two famous short stories, "What Stumped the Blue Jays" and "Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall," written by Mark Twain. It follows the storyline of both the titles, characters, and perspectives. So, read carefully and try to recall what you learn from both the stories.
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- 2.
In “What Stumped the Blue Jays,” what is Jim Baker’s story about?
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A group of blue jays who attack a cat.
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A blue jay who tries to steal another bird’s eggs.
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A blue jay who tries to fill a house with acorns.
Correct Answer
A. 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.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What is the main purpose of “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall”?
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To persuade readers to stop pollution.
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To inform readers of scientific facts about autumn leaves.
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To explain the origin of macabre fall holidays.
Correct Answer
A. To inform readers of scientific facts about autumn leaves.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.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the main purpose of “What Stumped the Blue Jays”?
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To entertain readers.
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To inform readers.
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To persuade readers.
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To warn readers.
Correct Answer
A. To entertain readers.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.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following examples reflects Ackerman’s style in “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall?”
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Her detailed explanation of how the colored leaves fall.
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Her humorous description of children playing in the leaves.
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Her scholarly explanation of how leafless trees survive the winter.
Correct Answer
A. Her detailed explanation of how the colored leaves fall.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.Rate this question:
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- 6.
According to “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall,” why does the United States have brighter fall foliage than Europe?
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There is too much pollution in Europe.
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There are no maple trees in Europe.
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The United States has colder nights and drier, sunnier days in fall.
Correct Answer
A. The United States has colder nights and drier, sunnier days in fall.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.Rate this question:
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- 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.
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To make readers angry about the idea of dying.
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To provide readers with a sense of wonder about life.
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To make readers laugh.
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To explain how fossils are formed.
Correct Answer
A. To provide readers with a sense of wonder about life.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.Rate this question:
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- 8.
According to “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall,” the green chlorophyll in leaves is camouflage, which means that it:
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Destroys the other colors in the leaves.
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Hides the other colors in the leaves.
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Makes the leaves fall off the trees.
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Brightens the other colors in the leaves.
Correct Answer
A. Hides the other colors in the leaves.Explanation
The green chlorophyll in leaves acts as camouflage by hiding the other colors in the leaves.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Twain’s style in “What Stumped the Blue Jays” is
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Serious yet informal.
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Humorous and informal.
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Detailed and poetic.
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Scholarly yet humorous.
Correct Answer
A. Humorous and informal.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.Rate this question:
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- 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.
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To improve readers’ grammar.
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To inform readers about cats.
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To teach readers about fighting.
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To make readers laugh.
Correct Answer
A. To make readers laugh.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.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which of the following sentences is one of the main ideas of “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall?”
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Leaves stop making chlorophyll as summer ends.
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Leaves reflect the colors of pumpkins and squash in the fall.
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Photosynthesis begins in the fall.
Correct Answer
A. Leaves stop making chlorophyll as summer ends.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.Rate this question:
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- 12.
In “What Stumped the Blue Jays,” which of the following characteristics do the blue jays seem to share with human beings?
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They always support someone who has made a mistake.
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They love to give advice and make fun of each other.
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They are greedy and fight over everything.
Correct Answer
A. They love to give advice and make fun of each other.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.Rate this question:
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- 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.
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Stared
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Chattered
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Frowned
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Laughed
Correct Answer
A. LaughedExplanation
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."Rate this question:
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- 14.
“Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall,” the author compares people to leopards because she wants to stress:
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That leopards are endangered.
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That leopards hide.
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How powerful people are.
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How carefully we must observe nature.
Correct Answer
A. How carefully we must observe nature.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.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Ackerman’s style in “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall” is:
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Serious yet informal.
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Humorous and informal.
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Detailed and poetic
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Scholarly yet humorous.
Correct Answer
A. Detailed and poetic -
- 16.
According to “What Stumped the Blue Jays,” blue jays:
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Gather in large groups.
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Are smarter than cats.
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Use bad grammar.
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Have no sense of humor.
Correct Answer
A. 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.Rate this question:
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Nov 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Feb 16, 2010Quiz Created by
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