The Scarlet Letter - Chapters 1-18 (2nd Version)

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  • 1/20 Questions

    How does Hester earn a living?

    • Cooking for people
    • Through her needlework
    • As a maid
    • Farming the governor's fields
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About This Quiz

This quiz covers key plot points and character developments in 'The Scarlet Letter' from Chapters 1-18. Test your understanding of symbols, character actions, and critical events that shape this classic narrative. Essential for students and enthusiasts of American literature.

The Scarlet Letter - Chapters 1-18 (2nd Version) - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What gesture does Reverend Dimmesdale make throughout the book?

    • Rubs his eyes

    • Pulls at his beard

    • Raises his head to the sky

    • Puts his hand on his chest

    Correct Answer
    A. Puts his hand on his chest
    Explanation
    Throughout the book, Reverend Dimmesdale consistently puts his hand on his chest. This gesture symbolizes his guilt and inner turmoil over his secret sin. It serves as a physical manifestation of his emotional and psychological pain, as well as a way for him to conceal the scarlet letter that he has carved into his own flesh. By placing his hand on his chest, Dimmesdale both acknowledges and hides his guilt, adding to the complexity of his character and the themes of sin and redemption in the novel.

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  • 3. 

    What does Hester's scarlet letter look like?

    • Plain and simple, in true Puritan fashion

    • Small and gray

    • Elaborate in design and stitched with gold thread

    • Green and natural

    Correct Answer
    A. Elaborate in design and stitched with gold thread
    Explanation
    The scarlet letter on Hester's chest is described as elaborate in design and stitched with gold thread. This suggests that the letter is not just a simple and plain symbol, but rather a more intricate and detailed representation of her sin. The use of gold thread also implies a sense of wealth and luxury, contrasting with the Puritan ideals of simplicity and austerity. This description highlights the significance and impact of the scarlet letter on Hester's life and the judgment she faces from society.

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  • 4. 

    Mistress Hibbins, the sister of Governor Bellingham, is allegedly a:

    • Seamstress

    • Adulterer

    • Heterdox religionist

    • Witch

    Correct Answer
    A. Witch
    Explanation
    Mistress Hibbins, the sister of Governor Bellingham, is allegedly referred to as a witch. This implies that there are rumors or beliefs surrounding her involvement in witchcraft or practicing dark magic. The term "allegedly" suggests that there might not be concrete evidence, but the general perception is that she is associated with witchcraft.

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  • 5. 

    Who is the leech?

    • Hester

    • Dimmesdale

    • Winthrop

    • Chillingworth

    Correct Answer
    A. Chillingworth
    Explanation
    Chillingworth is the correct answer because he is the character in the novel "The Scarlet Letter" who is depicted as a leech. He is portrayed as a parasitic character who feeds off the guilt and suffering of others, particularly Dimmesdale. Chillingworth's relentless pursuit of revenge and his manipulative nature make him a fitting representation of a leech in the story.

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  • 6. 

    What is the first thing that Pearl sees as a baby?

    • The 'A' on Hester's chest

    • The sun

    • The town beedle

    • The scaffold

    Correct Answer
    A. The 'A' on Hester's chest
    Explanation
    As a baby, Pearl sees the 'A' on Hester's chest. This suggests that Pearl's first visual encounter is with the symbol of her mother's sin and shame. The scarlet letter 'A' represents adultery, which Hester committed, and serves as a constant reminder of her transgression. Pearl's immediate exposure to this symbol may foreshadow the impact it will have on her life and identity as she grows older.

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  • 7. 

    "All these giant trees and boulders of granite seemed intent on making a mystery of the course of this small brook; fearing, perhaps, that, with its never-ceasing loquacity, it should whisper tales out of the heart of the heart of the old forest whence it flowed, or mirror its revelations on the smooth surface of the pool."This is an example of:

    • Onomatopoeia

    • Hyperbole

    • Personification

    • Understatement

    Correct Answer
    A. Personification
    Explanation
    The given passage describes the giant trees and boulders as being "intent on making a mystery" and "fearing" that the brook will reveal secrets. This attribution of human-like intentions and emotions to inanimate objects is an example of personification.

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  • 8. 

    When John Wilson asks Pearl who her maker is, the girl reponds:

    • God is her maker

    • She is the result of sin

    • She was plucked off the rosebush

    • Indians gave her to Hester

    Correct Answer
    A. She was plucked off the rosebush
  • 9. 

    In the woods, Hester:

    • Takes off her 'A' but eventually returns it to her clothing

    • Jumps in the brook with Pearl

    • Joins Mistress Hibbins in some witchcraft

    • Destroys her 'A'

    Correct Answer
    A. Takes off her 'A' but eventually returns it to her clothing
    Explanation
    In the woods, Hester takes off her 'A' but eventually returns it to her clothing. This action symbolizes Hester's temporary defiance and desire to escape from the oppressive judgment of society. By removing the scarlet letter, she momentarily frees herself from the constant reminder of her sin and the shame associated with it. However, Hester ultimately returns the 'A' to her clothing, indicating her acceptance of her past and her willingness to bear the consequences of her actions. This suggests that Hester recognizes the importance of acknowledging and confronting her mistakes rather than trying to completely erase them.

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  • 10. 

    What literary device is the following: "... poor little Pearl was a demon offspring..."

    • Assonance

    • Metaphor

    • Allusion

    • Simile

    Correct Answer
    A. Metaphor
    Explanation
    The phrase "poor little Pearl was a demon offspring" is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another thing. In this case, the author is comparing Pearl to a demon offspring, suggesting that Pearl possesses some demonic qualities or characteristics. The comparison helps to convey the negative perception of Pearl and adds depth to the description of her character.

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  • 11. 

    What parallel does Pearl draw between her mother and Dimmesdale?

    • That they are both sad and alone

    • That Hester's 'A' comes from the same place as Dimmesdale's hand over his heart

    • That Chillingworth is obsessed with both of them

    • That religion plays such a big part in both of their lives

    Correct Answer
    A. That Hester's 'A' comes from the same place as Dimmesdale's hand over his heart
    Explanation
    Pearl draws a parallel between her mother and Dimmesdale by stating that Hester's 'A' comes from the same place as Dimmesdale's hand over his heart. This suggests that both Hester and Dimmesdale share a deep connection and are bound by their secret sin. The scarlet letter 'A' represents Hester's public shame and the guilt she carries, while Dimmesdale's hand over his heart symbolizes his hidden guilt and inner torment. Pearl recognizes this similarity and sees that both her mother and Dimmesdale are suffering in their own ways due to their shared sin.

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  • 12. 

    What physical deformity did Hester's husband have?

    • He had club feet

    • He had an extra finger on one hand

    • One shoulder was lower than the other

    • He had webbed feet

    Correct Answer
    A. One shoulder was lower than the other
    Explanation
    Hester's husband had a physical deformity where one shoulder was lower than the other. This suggests that his shoulders were not aligned symmetrically, with one being higher than the other. This could have been due to a condition such as scoliosis or a shoulder injury.

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  • 13. 

    Which of the following is a method Dimmesdale uses to punish himself for his sins?

    • Fasting

    • Scourging or whipping

    • Vigils

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above
    Explanation
    Dimmesdale uses all of the above methods to punish himself for his sins. Fasting is a way of denying himself pleasure and seeking spiritual purification. Scourging or whipping is a physical form of punishment that inflicts pain on himself. Vigils, or staying awake for extended periods of time, are a form of self-inflicted suffering. By engaging in all of these practices, Dimmesdale seeks to atone for his sins and find redemption.

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  • 14. 

    The fact that, even though the scarlet letter was meant to be a symbol of scorn, it became a symbol of honor, is an example of __________ irony in the novel.

    • Dramatic Irony

    • Verbal Irony

    • Situational Irony

    • None of the Above

    Correct Answer
    A. Situational Irony
    Explanation
    The fact that the scarlet letter, which was intended to be a symbol of shame and scorn, ends up becoming a symbol of honor is an example of situational irony. Situational irony occurs when there is a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. In this case, the expectation is that the scarlet letter would continue to bring shame to the wearer, but instead, it becomes a symbol of strength and resilience. This unexpected twist in the story is a prime example of situational irony.

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  • 15. 

    At the end of their meeting in the woods, Hester and Dimmesdale decide to:

    • Tell the town of their relationship

    • Take a boat to Europe with Pearl

    • Confront Chillingworth and tell him he is the worst sinner of all

    • Run away to the woods to live with the Indians

    Correct Answer
    A. Take a boat to Europe with Pearl
    Explanation
    Hester and Dimmesdale decide to take a boat to Europe with Pearl. This decision suggests that they want to escape their current situation and start a new life away from the judgment and scrutiny of the town. By going to Europe, they hope to find a fresh start and freedom from the consequences of their forbidden relationship. Taking Pearl with them indicates their commitment to raising her away from the oppressive environment they have experienced in the town.

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  • 16. 

    What regret does Hester reveal when she says, "... You cause him to die daily a living death; and still he knows you not"?

    • That she had an affair with Dimmesdale

    • That she married Chillingworth

    • That she had Pearl out of wedlock

    • That she kept Chillingworth's identity from Dimmesdale

    Correct Answer
    A. That she kept Chillingworth's identity from Dimmesdale
    Explanation
    Hester's regret, as revealed in the given quote, is that she kept Chillingworth's identity from Dimmesdale. This suggests that Hester feels guilty for not disclosing the true identity of her husband, which has caused Dimmesdale to suffer emotionally and spiritually. By keeping this secret, Hester has indirectly contributed to Dimmesdale's "living death" and the anguish he experiences daily without even realizing the true cause.

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  • 17. 

    "Your clutch is on his life, and you cause him to die daily a living death, and still he knows you not." The phrase "living death" is an example of which device:

    • Alliteration

    • Allusion

    • Oxymoron

    • Verbal irony

    Correct Answer
    A. Oxymoron
    Explanation
    The phrase "living death" is an example of an oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. In this case, "living" and "death" are opposite concepts, but they are used together to create a powerful and contradictory image. The phrase suggests that the person being referred to is experiencing a state of existence that is akin to death, even though they are technically alive.

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  • 18. 

    What literary device is the following: "The door of the jail being flung open from within there appeared, in the first place, like a black shadow emerging into sunshine, the grim and gristly presence of the town-beadle, with a sword by his side, and his staff of office in his hand."

    • Simile

    • Allusion

    • Anthropomorphism

    • Paradox

    Correct Answer
    A. Simile
    Explanation
    The correct answer is simile. A simile is a literary device that compares two different things using "like" or "as". In the given passage, the description of the town-beadle emerging from the jail is compared to a "black shadow emerging into sunshine". This comparison helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and adds depth to the description.

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  • 19. 

    For whom does Hester make a pair of gloves?

    • Governor Bellingham

    • Governor Winthrop

    • Both A and B

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Governor Bellingham
    Explanation
    Hester makes a pair of gloves for Governor Bellingham.

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  • 20. 

    What literary device is the following: "Had there been a Papist among the crowd of Puritans, he might have seen in this beautiful woman, so picturesque in her attire and mien, and with the infant at her bosom, an object to remind him of the image of Divine Maternity, which so many illustrious painters have vied with one another to represent; something which should remind him, indeed, but only by contrast, of that sacred image of sinless motherhood, whose infant was to redeem the world."

    • Simile

    • Allusion

    • Oxymoron

    • Dramatic irony

    Correct Answer
    A. Allusion
    Explanation
    The passage is an allusion because it refers to a specific image or concept from another source, in this case, the image of the "Divine Maternity" represented by illustrious painters. The author is using this allusion to contrast the beautiful woman with the infant at her bosom, who represents sinless motherhood and the redemption of the world, with the crowd of Puritans who may not appreciate or understand the significance of this image.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 19, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Dec 13, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Traimondo
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