"Clean Sweep" Quiz
Read the following questions carefully and all the answers before answering ----you MAY use your work from class with the story to help you answer the questions!
- 1.
Think about Ben, his actions in the story, and his relationship with Katie. Discuss IN A PARAGRAPH ---and using AT LEAST 2 Vocabulary Words ---what we, as a class, discussed was most likely going on with Ben emotionally and what evidence from the story leads us to believe this. You could also discuss Katie and Ben's relationship and how Katie's work with Mrs. Leonardo probably helped Katie and Ben become closer in the future. (Vocabulary Words to choose from: MINISCULE, TURMOIL, ABERRATION, PROPRIETY, DINGY, VILENESS
- 2.
What is meant by the word VILENESS?
- A.
Happiness and peace
- B.
Unhappiness and unpeacefulness
- C.
Objectionable and unpleasant
- D.
Pleasing but variously nasty smelling at the same time
Correct Answer
C. Objectionable and unpleasantExplanation
The word VILENESS refers to something that is objectionable and unpleasant. It implies that the thing being described is morally wrong or offensive, causing disgust or aversion. This word suggests a strong negative connotation and is used to describe something that is considered to be of low quality or morally corrupt.Rate this question:
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- 3.
If you were in a DINGY room, you might expect it to be...........
- A.
Noisy and upsetting
- B.
Dark and dreary
- C.
Light and airy
- D.
Quiet and peaceful
Correct Answer
B. Dark and drearyExplanation
In a dingy room, one would typically expect it to be dark and dreary. The word "dingy" implies a lack of cleanliness and brightness, suggesting a dim and gloomy atmosphere. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that a dingy room would not be light and airy, noisy and upsetting, or quiet and peaceful.Rate this question:
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- 4.
If someone is enduring TURMOIL over a situation, it means he/she is........
- A.
Anxious and confused about the situation
- B.
Delighted and glad about the situation
- C.
Extremely sad and lonely feeling in regards to the situation
- D.
Hoping for the best about the situation
Correct Answer
A. Anxious and confused about the situationExplanation
If someone is enduring turmoil over a situation, it means that they are experiencing a state of anxiety and confusion. Turmoil refers to a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty. Therefore, the correct answer is anxious and confused about the situation.Rate this question:
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- 5.
If something is MINUSCULE, then it is....
- A.
Very nasty
- B.
Extremely small
- C.
Extremely loud
- D.
Extremely huge
Correct Answer
B. Extremely smallExplanation
The word "minuscule" means extremely small.Rate this question:
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- 6.
If someone constantly and consistently shows PROPRIETY, it means that person is (most of the time).........
- A.
Hopeful and outgoing in the way he/she meets someone
- B.
Proper and appropriate in his/her actions
- C.
Always considerate and kind to others
- D.
Quiet and calm natured
Correct Answer
B. Proper and appropriate in his/her actionsExplanation
If someone constantly and consistently shows PROPRIETY, it means that person is proper and appropriate in his/her actions. This means that the person behaves in a manner that is socially acceptable and follows the expected norms and standards of behavior. They are likely to conduct themselves in a respectful and dignified way, showing good manners and behaving in a manner that is suitable for the given situation.Rate this question:
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- 7.
If you were to see a ghost, you might say ---"Oh no, I've seen a(n) __________________ (fill in the word that would work best in this blank)
- A.
Alteration
- B.
Abberation
- C.
Hopefulness
- D.
Surprise
Correct Answer
B. AbberationExplanation
If you were to see a ghost, you might say "Oh no, I've seen an aberration." The word "aberration" means a departure from what is normal, expected, or usual. In this context, seeing a ghost would be considered as something unusual or unexpected, hence the word "aberration" fits best in the blank.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Who is the PROTAGONIST of this short story?
- A.
Mom
- B.
Katie
- C.
Mrs. Leonardo
- D.
Dad
- E.
Ben
Correct Answer
B. KatieExplanation
Katie is the protagonist of this short story because she is the main character around whom the story revolves. The story likely focuses on her experiences, thoughts, and actions, making her the central figure. The other characters mentioned may play important roles in the story, but Katie is the one who drives the narrative forward.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The narrator and her mom go to homes because they want people to
- A.
Pay all of their bills
- B.
Buy their cleaning service
- C.
Know how to find dust mites
- D.
Learn to organize their homes
Correct Answer
B. Buy their cleaning serviceExplanation
The narrator and her mom go to homes in order to sell their cleaning service. They visit people's homes with the intention of offering their services for a fee, helping the homeowners with their cleaning needs.Rate this question:
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- 10.
"Clean Sweep" is told in ___________ point of view.
- A.
1st Person point of view
- B.
2nd person point of view
- C.
3rd person point of view
- D.
3 person omniscient point of view
Correct Answer
A. 1st Person point of viewExplanation
The correct answer is 1st Person point of view because the story is told from the perspective of the narrator, using pronouns like "I" and "me" to describe their own experiences and thoughts.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The narrator experiences an EXTERNAL conflict with her schoolwork and her job because she.....
- A.
Dislikes both
- B.
Lacks time to do both well
- C.
Wants to quit school
- D.
Cleans teachers' homes
Correct Answer
B. Lacks time to do both wellExplanation
The narrator experiences an external conflict with her schoolwork and her job because she lacks time to do both well. This means that she is unable to effectively manage her time between her school responsibilities and her job, resulting in a conflict. This conflict arises due to the limited amount of time available to her, making it difficult for her to excel in both areas simultaneously.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which words tell you the sequence of Benjamin's actions? "Then he gets dizzy and has to sit down, lying down comes moments later after his face gets a little pale."
- A.
"gets dizzy"
- B.
"lying down"
- C.
"moments later"
- D.
"a little pale"
Correct Answer
C. "moments later"Explanation
The words "moments later" indicate the sequence of Benjamin's actions. This phrase suggests that after Benjamin gets dizzy and has to sit down, lying down comes as the next action. The phrase "moments later" implies that lying down occurs shortly after Benjamin's face gets a little pale.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The narrator thinks that Mrs. Leonardo is mean because Mrs. Leonardo....
- A.
Lost her husband very recently
- B.
Lives in a house that is too messy
- C.
Gossips and talks about others way too much
- D.
Is bad tempered and doesn't want to throw anything away!
Correct Answer
D. Is bad tempered and doesn't want to throw anything away!Explanation
The narrator thinks that Mrs. Leonardo is mean because she is bad tempered and doesn't want to throw anything away. This suggests that Mrs. Leonardo may have a negative attitude and a tendency to hold onto things, which could contribute to her being perceived as mean. Her unwillingness to let go of items may also indicate a lack of generosity or unwillingness to share with others, further reinforcing the narrator's belief that she is mean.Rate this question:
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- 14.
What job does the Clean Sweep company do?
- A.
Rakes yards
- B.
Organizes school classrooms
- C.
Takes care of babies
- D.
Cleans homes
Correct Answer
D. Cleans homesExplanation
Clean Sweep company cleans homes. This means that they provide cleaning services for residential properties. They specialize in tidying up and maintaining cleanliness in people's houses.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Why does Katie resent her brother?
- A.
Because he is the baby in the family
- B.
Because he is not a nice brother
- C.
Because he is cuter than she is and everyone talks about that all the time/he gets much more attention
- D.
Because he acts sick and doesn't work as hard as she does
Correct Answer
D. Because he acts sick and doesn't work as hard as she doesExplanation
Katie resents her brother because he acts sick and doesn't work as hard as she does. This suggests that Katie feels frustrated and resentful towards her brother because she perceives him as lazy and not putting in the same effort as she does. This could lead to feelings of unfairness and resentment, as Katie may feel that she is being burdened with more responsibilities or expectations compared to her brother.Rate this question:
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- 16.
What is a major FLASHBACK that Katie has that helps the reader learn things about Katie?
- A.
She remembers when Ben was born
- B.
She remembers the day her dad died
- C.
She remembers when her cat ran away
- D.
She remembers when her dog was kidnapped
Correct Answer
B. She remembers the day her dad diedExplanation
In the given options, the major flashback that Katie has is when her dad died. This flashback helps the reader learn things about Katie, such as the emotional impact of losing her father and the potential influence it may have had on her life. It suggests that this event could have shaped her character and experiences, providing insight into her past and possibly explaining certain aspects of her present behavior or mindset.Rate this question:
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- 17.
What prompts (causes) Mrs. Leonardo to think of her sister?
- A.
Mrs. Leonardo finds an old book
- B.
The narrator finds an old tablecloth
- C.
Mrs. Leonardo's sister writes a letter
- D.
Benjamin reads "The Naughty Little Frog"
Correct Answer
A. Mrs. Leonardo finds an old bookExplanation
Mrs. Leonardo finds an old book, which prompts her to think of her sister. This suggests that the book holds some sentimental value or connection to her sister, triggering memories or emotions associated with her. The discovery of the book serves as a reminder of her sister's presence or influence in her life.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The narrator's mother shows keen intelligence by....
- A.
Selling her services door-to-door and talking about how vile the dust mites are/the ARMY that they are, etc.
- B.
Hiring her daughter to work for her and not paying her so that the business makes more money
- C.
Accepting a job with Mrs. Leonardo
- D.
Letting Ben get away with acting sick so that Katie has to do all the work
Correct Answer
A. Selling her services door-to-door and talking about how vile the dust mites are/the ARMY that they are, etc.Explanation
The narrator's mother shows keen intelligence by selling her services door-to-door and talking about how vile the dust mites are. This demonstrates her ability to effectively market her services and create a sense of urgency in potential customers. By emphasizing the negative aspects of dust mites and presenting herself as a solution to the problem, she is able to attract more customers and increase her business. Additionally, her use of the word "army" suggests that she is skilled at using persuasive language to make her pitch more compelling.Rate this question:
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- 19.
What INTERNAL conflict does the narrator have on the first day she is to go to Mrs. Leonardo's home?
- A.
Her mother wants her to clean, but the narrator would rather give the cleaning presentation
- B.
She needs to finish a report for school, but she has already made a work committment so she must decide to fail the report
- C.
Her brother says that he will help, and she argues with him because he is acting sick
- D.
She dreads hearing Mrs. Leonardo's complaints and working in the dingy attic, but she knows that her family needs the money and Mrs. L is paying 'big bucks'
Correct Answer
B. She needs to finish a report for school, but she has already made a work committment so she must decide to fail the reportExplanation
The narrator is faced with the internal conflict of having to choose between finishing a report for school and fulfilling a work commitment. This conflict arises because she has already made a commitment to work, but at the same time, she knows that failing the report will have consequences for her school work. She must make a decision on whether to prioritize her work commitment or her school responsibilities, which creates a conflict within her.Rate this question:
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- 20.
A SUB-PLOT in a short story is when......
- A.
There's 2 important stories that happen in a short story
- B.
There's an underlying story told within the larger short story
- C.
When there's a plot dug in the back yard
- D.
When a flashback is told in a story
Correct Answer
B. There's an underlying story told within the larger short storyExplanation
In a short story, a sub-plot refers to an underlying story that is told within the larger narrative. It is a secondary storyline that runs parallel to the main plot and provides additional depth and complexity to the overall narrative. The sub-plot often involves different characters or events that are connected to the main plot in some way. This technique allows the author to explore different themes, develop characters further, or introduce contrasting perspectives within the short story.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Which event happens before the others in this story?
- A.
Katie finds a book and shares it with Mrs. Leonardo
- B.
Mrs. Leonardo hires Clean Sweep to clean out her attic
- C.
Mrs. Leonardo complains to Katie
- D.
Katie's father dies
Correct Answer
D. Katie's father dies -
- 22.
Because the story is told from Katie's point of view, the reader better understands ---
- A.
The sequence of events
- B.
Mrs. Leonardo's sister
- C.
Mrs. Leonardo's sister
- D.
Katie's internal conflicts
Correct Answer
D. Katie's internal conflictsExplanation
The correct answer is Katie's internal conflicts. Since the story is told from Katie's point of view, the reader is able to gain insight into her thoughts, emotions, and struggles. This allows for a deeper understanding of the internal conflicts that Katie experiences throughout the story. The reader can empathize with her and see how these conflicts shape her actions and decisions.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Which conflict is NOT part of the story?
- A.
Conflict between Katie and Benjamin
- B.
Conflict between Katie and Mrs. Leonardo
- C.
Conflict between Mrs. Leonardo and Katie's mother
- D.
Conflict between Mrs. Leonardo and her sister
Correct Answer
C. Conflict between Mrs. Leonardo and Katie's motherExplanation
The given answer states that the conflict between Mrs. Leonardo and Katie's mother is not part of the story. This means that there is no conflict between these two characters in the narrative. The other options mention conflicts between Katie and Benjamin, Katie and Mrs. Leonardo, and Mrs. Leonardo and her sister, but the conflict between Mrs. Leonardo and Katie's mother is not mentioned. Therefore, it can be inferred that this conflict does not exist in the story.Rate this question:
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- 24.
What did Katie do that proved to HELP Mrs. Leonardo more than anything else?
- A.
Cleaned her attic
- B.
Cleaned her house
- C.
Found the glasses
- D.
Suggested she call her sister
Correct Answer
D. Suggested she call her sisterExplanation
Katie's suggestion to Mrs. Leonardo to call her sister proved to be the most helpful action. This implies that Mrs. Leonardo was in need of assistance or support, and Katie recognized that her sister could provide the help she needed. By suggesting this, Katie showed her understanding of Mrs. Leonardo's situation and took a proactive step to offer a solution.Rate this question:
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- 25.
How does Katie's view of Mrs. Leonardo change by the end of the story?
- A.
Katie admires her
- B.
Katie loses respect for her
- C.
Katie feels sympathy for her
- D.
Katie feels gratitude towards her
Correct Answer
A. Katie admires herExplanation
By the end of the story, Katie's view of Mrs. Leonardo changes to admiration. This suggests that Katie's perception of Mrs. Leonardo has evolved positively, possibly due to Mrs. Leonardo's actions, behavior, or qualities that Katie has come to appreciate or find admirable. The story may have depicted Mrs. Leonardo in a way that initially made Katie skeptical or indifferent towards her, but through the events or interactions in the narrative, Katie's perspective transforms into admiration.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Which of the following would be the BEST statement from the text that would illustrate the THEME of this short story?
- A.
""Have you ever seen a dust mite?"
- B.
"So I'm on my knees in the dust, putting things away..."
- C.
"I'm not sure Mrs. Leonardo wants someone to help or someone to complain to...."
- D.
"People just don't understand what important things can be hiding in the dust!"
Correct Answer
D. "People just don't understand what important things can be hiding in the dust!"Explanation
The given statement, "People just don't understand what important things can be hiding in the dust!" best illustrates the theme of the short story. This statement suggests that there are valuable or significant things that can be overlooked or underestimated by others. It implies that the narrator believes in the importance of paying attention to seemingly insignificant details and not underestimating their potential significance. This theme may highlight the idea of hidden treasures, overlooked opportunities, or the value of small things in life.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 19, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 29, 2013Quiz Created by
Michelle BYRD
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