Possiblity of Evil

What is Miss Strangeworth’s family history in the town?

• Miss Strangeworth’s grandfather built the first house on Pleasant Street.

• Miss Strangeworth comes from new money.

• Miss Strangeworth’s great-grandfather was the first mayor of the town.

• Miss Strangeworth’s mother opened a factory that employed most of the townspeople.

What is the significance of the color of the envelopes and writing paper Miss Strangeworth uses to write her letters?

• The color is not important at all

• They were Miss Strangewoth’s favourite colours

• Many people in the town had the same paper, so the letters could be written anonymously

• The color was the same shade as her beautiful home

Which of these is the most applicable theme of the story?

• Friendship is a bond that lasts a lifetime

• The truth should always be told, no matter what

• Appearances can be deceiving

• One should have pride in one's community

The roses most likely symbolize

• Children - The roses are her most beloved items, and replace the children she could never bear

• Hospitality - She shares them as gifts with those who visit her home

• Employment - . They are how she made her living, for she owned a floral shop

• Equivocation - . The roses, like Miss Strangeworth, appear beautiful on the surface, but are filled with thorns

Read the last lines of the story:

"Her hand did not shake as she opened the envelope and unfolded the sheet of green paper inside. She began to cry silently for the wickedness of the world when she read the words: LOOK OUT AT WHAT USED TO BE YOUR ROSES."

What device is the author using here?

• Hyperbole, because nothing was wrong with her roses

• Imagery, because the text is so descriptive of the scene

• Irony, because Miss Strangeworth is crying for the wickedness of the world

• Simile, due to the words "as she opened the envelope"

What is the most likely meaning of the underlined word in the excerpt from the story below:

"The town where she lived had to be kept clean and sweet, but people everywhere were lustful and evil and degraded, and needed to be watched; the world was so large, and there was only one Strangeworth left in it."

• improved

• lessened

• disgraced

• corrupted