The Necklace

What does the word STATUS mean?

• How someone is perceived by other people in terms of rank or position in life

• a term used to describe young children

Which word below best describes Madame Loisel from the story?

• humble (means not proud and modest)

• Haughty (snobbish)

"Instead of being delighted, as her husband hoped, she flung the invitation petulantly across the table." What does "petulantly" mean (adjective)?

• rude behavior, child-like behavior

• pleasant, using one's manners

"First she saw some bracelets, then a pearl necklace, then a Venetian cross in gold and gems, of exquisite workmanship." What does the word "exquisite" mean (noun)?

• cheap, ugly

• elegant, of high quality

Who is more ashamed of Madame's coat toward the end of the dance?

• Madame

• The husband

"She waited all day long, in the same state of bewilderment at this fearful catastrophe." What is the meaning of the word "bewilderment" (noun)?

• calm, relaxed

• confused, perplexed

"He gave notes of hand, entered into ruinous agreements, did business with users and a whole tribe of money-lenders." What is the meaning of the word "ruinous" (adjective)?

• disastrous, ruin

• wealthy, great business mind

"Madame Loisel came to know the ghastly life of abject poverty." What does the phrase "ghastly life of abject poverty" mean?

• living as a poor person, worst conditions imaginable

• wealthy, plentiful, access to the finer things in life

What is so ironic about the Loisels' state of poverty toward the end of the story?

• Madame felt like her life at the start of the story was beneath her and that she deserved to live life like a wealthy person with status. And now at the end of the story, she lost that way of life to one of desperation and poverty.

• Because of the couple's hardworking efforts, they rose to a higher status in society because they wanted to impress their friend.

"Oh, my poor Mathilde! But mine was imitation. It was worth at the very most five hundred francs!" What is the meaning of the word "imitation"?

• rare, one of a kind

• fake, copy, counterfeit