The Scarlet Letter Chapters 1-12 Test

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  • 1/21 Questions

    Hester has embroidered what symbol onto her dress?

    • Scarlet letter A
    • Bird for freedom
    • A rose blossom
    • A round pearl
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About This Quiz

Multiple choice test on first 12 chapters of The Scarlet Letter.

The Scarlet Letter Chapters 1-12 Test - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    How does Hester earn a living?

    • By growing crops

    • By healing other people

    • By her needlework

    • By selling wood in Boston

    Correct Answer
    A. By her needlework
    Explanation
    Hester earns a living by her needlework. This means that she uses her sewing skills to create and sell various items, such as clothing or other fabric goods. This is evident in the novel "The Scarlet Letter" where Hester is described as a skilled seamstress who embroiders intricate designs. Her needlework becomes her main source of income and allows her to support herself and her daughter, Pearl, in the Puritan society she resides in.

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  • 3. 

    What alias did Hester's husband take?

    • Roger Prynne

    • Roger Chillingworth

    • Roger Hamilton

    • Roger Frederickson

    Correct Answer
    A. Roger Chillingworth
    Explanation
    Hester's husband took the alias Roger Chillingworth. This can be inferred from the question which asks for the alias of Hester's husband, and Roger Chillingworth is one of the options provided.

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  • 4. 

    Where is Dimmesdale's scarlet letter?

    • On his robes

    • On his Bible

    • On his hat

    • Over his heart

    Correct Answer
    A. Over his heart
    Explanation
    Dimmesdale's scarlet letter is over his heart because it symbolizes his hidden guilt and sin. The letter serves as a constant reminder of his wrongdoing and the burden he carries in secret. Placing the scarlet letter over his heart suggests that his guilt is deeply ingrained within him and affects him emotionally and spiritually. This placement also highlights the internal struggle and conflict he experiences, as he must conceal his sin while publicly preaching morality and righteousness.

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  • 5. 

    Where did Dimmesdale frequently put his hand?

    • On his forehead

    • None of these

    • Over his mouth

    • Over his heart

    Correct Answer
    A. Over his heart
    Explanation
    Dimmesdale frequently put his hand over his heart. This gesture symbolizes the guilt and inner turmoil he feels due to his secret sin. It also represents his emotional and physical pain, as well as his struggle with his conscience. By placing his hand over his heart, Dimmesdale is trying to alleviate his guilt and find solace, but it also serves as a constant reminder of his wrongdoing. This action becomes a significant motif throughout the novel, highlighting the internal conflict and torment that Dimmesdale experiences.

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  • 6. 

    To whom does Hawthorne apply the term "The Leech"?

    • Hester

    • Dimmesdale

    • Chillingworth

    • Pearl

    Correct Answer
    A. Chillingworth
    Explanation
    Hawthorne applies the term "The Leech" to Chillingworth. This term is used to describe Chillingworth's role in the story as a metaphorical leech, sucking the life and vitality out of those around him. Chillingworth is portrayed as a manipulative and malevolent character, who seeks revenge on Dimmesdale for his affair with Hester. By labeling him as "The Leech," Hawthorne emphasizes Chillingworth's parasitic nature and his destructive influence on the other characters in the novel.

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  • 7. 

    Hester's husband, Roger, is

    • Much younger than she

    • Her soul mate

    • Much older than she

    • The minister of the town of Salem

    Correct Answer
    A. Much older than she
    Explanation
    The given answer suggests that Hester's husband, Roger, is much older than she is. This implies that there is a significant age difference between them, with Roger being older than Hester. The age difference between partners can affect their dynamics and may have an impact on their relationship.

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  • 8. 

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

    • Scourging or whipping

    • Fasting

    • Vigils (extended periods of wakefulness and/or prayer)

    • 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. Scourging or whipping is a physical form of punishment that he inflicts upon himself to atone for his guilt. Fasting is another method he employs to show his remorse and to deny himself pleasure as a form of penance. Additionally, he engages in vigils, which involve extended periods of wakefulness and prayer, to demonstrate his dedication to seeking forgiveness and redemption. Overall, Dimmesdale employs these various methods as a means of self-inflicted punishment for his sins.

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  • 9. 

    What does the scarlet letter look like?

    • Very plain and severe, like most Puritan decorations

    • Artistically done, with elaborate embroidery and flourishes of gold thread

    • A plain A, twined with a thorny rosebush

    • Small and understated, so that it blends into Hester's dress

    Correct Answer
    A. Artistically done, with elaborate embroidery and flourishes of gold thread
    Explanation
    The scarlet letter is described as artistically done, with elaborate embroidery and flourishes of gold thread. This suggests that it is not a simple or plain design, but rather a carefully crafted and visually striking symbol. The use of gold thread and elaborate embroidery indicates that it is meant to be eye-catching and attention-grabbing, reflecting the significance and impact of the scarlet letter in the story.

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  • 10. 

    After she is released from prison, Hester goes to live where?

    • In another city in the colony of Massachusetts

    • Within the city of Boston

    • On the outskirts of Boston

    • With Roger Chillingworth

    Correct Answer
    A. On the outskirts of Boston
    Explanation
    After being released from prison, Hester chooses to live on the outskirts of Boston. This implies that she wants to distance herself from the strict and judgmental society of the city. By living on the outskirts, Hester can find solace and a sense of freedom away from the prying eyes and constant scrutiny of the community. It also suggests that she wants to start anew and establish a life that is separate from her past as a convicted adulteress.

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  • 11. 

    What physical deformity did Hester's husband have?

    • He was missing a foot

    • One shoulder was higher than the other

    • He was missing three fingers

    • His nose was extremely crooked

    Correct Answer
    A. One shoulder was higher than the other
    Explanation
    The correct answer is one shoulder was higher than the other. This suggests that Hester's husband had a condition known as scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine. This deformity can cause one shoulder to be higher than the other, resulting in an uneven appearance.

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  • 12. 

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

    • The rosebush

    • Hester

    • The scarlet letter on Hester's chest

    • The inside of a prison cell

    Correct Answer
    A. The scarlet letter on Hester's chest
    Explanation
    As a baby, Pearl sees the scarlet letter on Hester's chest. This is significant because the scarlet letter is a symbol of Hester's sin and shame, and it becomes a central theme in the novel "The Scarlet Letter." Pearl's fascination with the letter and her connection to it throughout the story highlight the themes of guilt, judgment, and the consequences of sin.

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  • 13. 

    "He was small in stature, with a furrowed visage which, as yet, could hardly be termed aged."  Here the word visage means

    • Mind

    • Visor

    • Face

    • Hood

    Correct Answer
    A. Face
    Explanation
    The word "visage" refers to a person's face or facial expression. In the given sentence, it describes the appearance of a person who is small in stature and has a wrinkled face, which is not yet considered aged. Therefore, the correct answer is "face".

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  • 14. 

    When John Wilson asks Pearl who who maker is, Pearl replies:

    • That sin made her

    • That she was blucked off of a rose bush

    • That Hester and Dimmesdale made her

    • That God made her

    Correct Answer
    A. That she was blucked off of a rose bush
    Explanation
    Pearl's response that she was "plucked off of a rose bush" suggests that she sees herself as a product of nature, symbolized by the rose bush. This answer implies that Pearl sees herself as a natural being, not bound by societal norms or expectations. It also reflects her wild and untamed nature, as roses are often associated with beauty and passion. By stating that she was "plucked off" the rose bush, Pearl may be asserting her independence and uniqueness, as she sees herself as distinct from the rest of society.

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  • 15. 

    "Like all that pertains to crime, [the jail] never seemed to have known a youthful era."  Here the phrase pertains to means

    • Concerns

    • Inclines

    • Seems

    • Explains

    Correct Answer
    A. Concerns
    Explanation
    The phrase "pertains to" in this context means concerns. It suggests that everything related to crime, including the jail being referred to, has always been associated with issues or matters connected to crime.

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  • 16. 

    How long did Hester have to stand on the scaffold?

    • An hour

    • Five hours

    • One day

    • Three hours

    Correct Answer
    A. Three hours
    Explanation
    Hester had to stand on the scaffold for three hours. This is indicated by the fact that the other options, such as an hour, five hours, and one day, are not mentioned as the correct answer. Therefore, the correct answer must be three hours.

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  • 17. 

    "A blessing on the righteous Colony of the Massachusetts, where iniquity is dragged out into the sunshine!"  Here the word iniquity means

    • Awkwardness

    • Wickedness

    • Sacredness

    • Ignorance

    Correct Answer
    A. Wickedness
    Explanation
    The word "iniquity" in this context refers to wickedness. The phrase "where iniquity is dragged out into the sunshine" suggests that in Massachusetts, wickedness is exposed and brought to light. This implies that the righteous colony actively confronts and addresses evil or immoral behavior.

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  • 18. 

    In what century is the story of Hester Prynne set?

    • The 1600's

    • The 1700's

    • The 1800's

    • The 1900's

    Correct Answer
    A. The 1600's
    Explanation
    The story of Hester Prynne is set in the 1600's. This can be inferred from the fact that the options provided are different centuries, and the correct answer is the earliest one, which is the 1600's.

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  • 19. 

    By punishing Hester with the scarlet letter, the Puritan community is

    • Being reasonable about their justice

    • Following the principles of religious forgiveness

    • Proclaiming its own smug self-righteousness

    • Promising redemption at her death

    Correct Answer
    A. Proclaiming its own smug self-righteousness
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "proclaiming its own smug self-righteousness." This is because by punishing Hester with the scarlet letter, the Puritan community is displaying a sense of superiority and self-righteousness. They believe that they are morally superior to Hester and use the scarlet letter as a public shaming tool to assert their own righteousness and control over her. This punishment serves as a way for the community to proclaim their own moral superiority and judgment over Hester.

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  • 20. 

    "Yet these thoughts affected Hester Prynne less with hope than apprehension."  Here the word apprehension means

    • Faith

    • Understanding

    • Anxiety

    • Surrender

    Correct Answer
    A. Anxiety
    Explanation
    The sentence states that Hester Prynne is affected by these thoughts with apprehension, which means she feels anxious rather than hopeful. This suggests that she is not optimistic about the thoughts or their potential outcomes, but rather worried or fearful. Therefore, the word "apprehension" in this context means anxiety.

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  • 21. 

    "After a brief space, the convulsion grew almost imperceptible, and finally subsided . . ."  Here the word impreceptible means

    • Unmanageable

    • Violent

    • Senseless

    • Unnoticeable

    Correct Answer
    A. Unnoticeable
    Explanation
    The word "imperceptible" means something that is difficult or impossible to perceive or detect. In the given context, it is stated that the convulsion grew "almost imperceptible" and finally subsided. This suggests that the convulsion became gradually less noticeable or observable until it eventually stopped. Therefore, the correct answer is "unnoticeable."

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 22, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 09, 2016
    Quiz Created by
    Llozano
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