Mr. Morris got the monkey's paw when

He bought it in an Indian market.

His father left it to him in his will.

Mr. White had made his wishes, so he gave it to Morris.

Why do you think Mr. Morris tries to burn the paw?

As he talks to the Whites, he remembers the evil consequences of the wishes.

He senses Herbert's eagerness to own it.

He doesn't want the police to find out he has it.l

He fears it may carry a rare Indian disease.

What does Mr. White say before he wishes for two hundred pounds?

He would like money to send Herbert to college.

He says he'd like to pay off the house.

He says he could stand to gain some weight.

What would you infer is the reason that Mr. White is so reluctant to wish for his son't return from the dead?

He understands teh wishes are not answered the way one would expect.

He realizes they would not have enough income to pay his medical expenses.

He has discovered he likes how quiet the house is since his son has been gone.

He wants to save the wish for something really urgent.

Why do you think the knocking stops before Mrs. White gets the door open?

Mr. White wished his son would return to the grave.

Herbert decides to try the back door.

Mr. White realizes he was having a dream.

The Monkey's Paw Question Support

Authored by Janice Hill

English

8th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 152+ times

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About

This quiz focuses on W.W. Jacobs' classic horror short story "The Monkey's Paw," targeting 8th grade English language arts students. The assessment evaluates multiple reading comprehension skills including literal recall of plot events, character analysis and motivation, inference and critical thinking about character decisions, literary device identification (particularly suspense techniques), mood analysis, and interpretation of ambiguous story elements. Students must demonstrate their understanding of the story's supernatural elements, cause-and-effect relationships, and the author's craft in building tension throughout the narrative. The questions require students to move beyond simple plot recall to analyze why characters make specific choices, interpret the story's ominous ending, and recognize how Jacobs uses literary techniques like foreshadowing and mood to create suspense. This level of analysis, combining factual comprehension with inferential reasoning about character psychology and author's purpose, aligns perfectly with middle school expectations for literary analysis. Created by Janice Hill, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 8. This comprehensive quiz serves as an excellent formative assessment tool following students' reading of "The Monkey's Paw," allowing teachers to gauge both comprehension and analytical thinking skills. The quiz works effectively as a review activity before class discussions, helping students recall key plot points while preparing them for deeper literary analysis conversations. Teachers can use this as homework to reinforce reading assignments, as a warm-up activity to begin literature circle discussions, or as practice before summative assessments on short story elements. The varied question types make it particularly valuable for differentiated instruction, supporting students who excel at factual recall while challenging others to think critically about character motivation and literary techniques. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1 for citing textual evidence to support inferences, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3 for analyzing character development and plot advancement, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4 for determining the meaning of words and phrases as they contribute to mood and meaning in the text.

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12 questions

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How did Mr. White get the monkey's paw?

He met a fakir in India who gave it to him.

His friend Mr. Morris agreed to let him have it.

The previous owner had died.

He bought it from a museum.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What power does the monkey's paw have?

It brings death to the owner.

It makes the owner rich.

It can give 3 wishes to 3 men.

It can give wishes to its owner.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why does the Sergeant-Major throw the paw into the fire?

He can't sell it.

He doesn't want to make any more wishes.

He doesn't want the paw to hurt anyone else.

He wanted to see if Mr. White really wanted it.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Who do you think is knocking at the door at the end of the story?

Herbert

Sergeant Major Morris

The cemetery keeper.

The police.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which choice does NOT help surprise the reader about what occurs in the story?

Mr. White says he has everything he needs.

Mrs. White calls the story of the monkey paw a fantasy.

The next day dawns sunny and bright.

Herbert dies in an accident at work.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Which is NOT one of the methods of creating suspense?

Dialogue

Setting

Imagery

Flashback

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the mood of the story before Sergeant Major Morris arrives?

Frightening because it is raining.

Peaceful because the family is enjoying each others' company.

Tense because the father accuses the son of cheating at chess.

Energetic because the chess game is so competitive.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

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