The Open Window

Based on paragraphs 27 through 29, what can the reader conclude about Vera?

• She has heard rumors and gossip about Mr. Nuttel's past.

• She feels pity for Mr. Nuttel's frail nature.

• She has a history of telling tall tales.

• She believes the events in the graveyard caused Mr. Nuttel's nervous condition.

Which of these is a theme of "The Open Window"?

• People from cities find rural life to be odd.

• Children are more creative and intelligent than adults.

• Lying typically leads to negative consequences.

• Once broken, trust is difficult to rebuild.

Why does Vera ask Mr. Nuttel so many questions in paragraphs 5 through 9?

• She is trying to act interested even though she finds Mr. Nuttel boring.

• She is finding out what Mr. Nuttel knows so that she can craft her story.

• She is stalling for time until her aunt comes down and diffuses the awkward conversation.

• She thinks Mr. Nuttel is interesting, and she wants to know more about him.

Read these sentences from paragraph 23.

• Vera cannot believe the men are returning to ruin her joke.

• Vera is mentally unstable and has believed her own joke.

• Vera is not only a creative storyteller; she is also a talented actor.

• Vera realizes how her joke might affect Mr. Nuttel and feels regret.

The setting is important for helping Vera trick Mr. Nuttel because -

• Mr. Nuttel believes that people who live in the country are simple and foolish.

• Mr. Nuttel is worried about hunting accidents in the rural, wooded area.

• Mr. Nuttel feels anxious and disappointed to have to spend time in the country.

• Mr. Nuttel is lured into a false sense of ease and comfort in the restful, rural setting.

How does the flashback in paragraph 3 affect the story?

• It establishes that Mr. Nuttel is somewhat vulnerable, foreshadowing the results of Vera's trick.

• The letters of introduction from his sister set Mr. Nuttel on a path toward making friends.

• Mr. Nuttel's sister is afraid he will "not speak to a living soul" while he is in the countryside, setting up the plot twist of Mr. Nuttel seeing ghosts.

• The comments by Mr. Nuttel's sister foreshadow Mr. Nuttel's gloominess at the end of the story.

Paragraph 14 is important to the ending of the story because it -

• explains how the three men were lost and why the aunt cannot accept their loss

• ends abruptly, foreshadowing Mr. Nuttel's abrupt exit from the Sappleton home

• creates suspense by suggesting that ghosts might walk in through the window

• introduces the spaniel that Mr. Nuttel is afraid of