Linda Hillringhouse - 'The New Dress'

The transcript narrates a story of a girl in a beautiful dress, waiting for her parents to return from a trip. She anticipates their admiration, but her mother unexpectedly walks past her, leaving the girl in a moment where time seems to stop and the future becomes uncertain.

What is the narrator uncertain about at the beginning of the story?

• The color of the dress

• The discovery they are about to make

• The time of day

• The girl's name

What is the girl wearing while waiting for her parents?

• A blue dress with a hat

• A yellow dress with a ribbon

• A red plaid dress with a crinoline

• A green dress with a scarf

How does the girl imagine her parents will react when they see her?

• They will scold her

• They will ignore her

• They will be disappointed

• They will admire and lift her up

What unexpected action does the mother take upon arriving?

• She hugs the girl tightly

• She walks past the girl, smiling at the neighbor

• She gives the girl a gift

• She starts crying

What profound experience occurs in Lenore's living room?

• The girl receives a new dress

• The neighbor leaves the room

• Time seems to stop and the future becomes uncertain

• The parents argue