8th Grade Semester Test

1.

1 point

Once the children get sick, where do Mattie and Eliza take them?

Bush Hill

Mother Smith's house

The coffeehouse

2.

1 point

Why are there armed men standing outside the town of Pembrook

They are extorting money from anyone who goes through town, making them pay for their passages through town.

They are trying to prevent sick people from coming to town.

They are highwaymen, robbing people of food, money and water since supplies are short.

3.

1 point

Now that the market is closed, what is the secondary cause of death for Philadelphians who stayed?

Dehydration

Starvation

Heat exhaustion

4.

1 point

What does Grandfather talk about that scares Mattie?

He starts telling ghost stories in his sleep

He talks to Mattie as though he is in the war again.

He begins to tell her how the yellow fever epidemic of 1758 ended.

5.

1 point

In what city does the story take place?

Philadelphia, PA

Boston, MA

New York, NY

6.

1 point

Why doesn't Mattie trust Mr. Rowley to examine Mother?

Eliza says he isn't a proper doctor, his hands are dirty and he smells of rum.

He treated Grandfather, and Grandfather is still having problems.

He stands a little too close to most people and doesn't respect others' personal space.

7.

1 point

What news has Grandfather and Mattie heard about Mother since Mattie has been in Bush Hill?

They haven't heard anything about Mother since their arrival at Bush Hill

She is safe at the Ludington's farm

She has died

8.

1 point

How does Mrs. Flagg, her nurse, calm Mattie's nerves?

She brings Grandfather's face into view so that Mattie can see she is safe.

She sedates Mattie.

Mrs. Flagg tells her that there are new doctors and staff and the hospital has been cleaned thoroughly.

9.

1 point

Once the first days of frost hit Philadelphia, what group of people that needs the city dwellers business returns to the city?

Farmers

Sailors

Politicians

10.

1 point

What is one treatment that some doctors think will cure the Fever?

Bleeding

Cold compresses

Hickory bark tea

11.

1 point

When grandfather tells Mattie he's "leaving" her, what does he mean?

He's going out to look for mother

He's dying

He's going back to Bush Hill where there is food

12.

1 point

Where is Mattie being sent after Mother gets sick?

She is being sent to the orphan house temporarily

She will go to her aunt's house in Boston.

She is being sent to the Ludington's farm

13.

1 point

Why is the invitation to the Ogilvies for tea so important for Mattie's future according to mother?

The Ogilvies have a son about Mattie's age and she needs to start thinking about "husband material"

The Ogilvies have political connections and Mrs. Cook would love to cater a State Dinner for the President.

They are tea importers and maybe they can get a better price on tea from their import business.

14.

1 point

What does Mattie do when the gravediggers are going to dump Grandfather's body in a large pit for burial?

She yells, "STOP!" and demands they at least pray over the dead bodies being buried.

She throws herself in front of the dead cart to stop his body.

She starts digging a separate grave.

15.

1 point

What is Mother's concern about Mattie going to Polly's to visit?

She doesn't want Mattie walking the streets alone if there is a kidnapper loose in Philadelphia.

She is short-handed already and needs Mattie's help.

She is afraid Mattie will get sick and die too.

16.

1 point

What happened to the coffeehouse since Grandfather left it the last time?

Nothing. It's perfectly safe and normal.

Someone broke in and stole food, broke dishes, and stomped on King George's bird cage.

It was torched by arsonists.

17.

1 point

Who is President of the United States at the time of the story?

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

18.

1 point

How do Mattie and Grandfather eat since the market is closed?

They scrounge in the garden and pull what little there is left on the plants.

The return to Bush Hill as volunteers.

They beg for food on the streets, going door to door.

19.

1 point

When Mattie finally reconnects with Eliza, what piece of good news does she learn about Lucille?

The Peale's allowed her into the house at Nathanial's urging, even though they had been trying to isolate themselves from anyone who'd been sick.

Mother survived and headed out to Ludington farm

Mother is living at the orphan house helping as a nursemaid

20.

1 point

How has the garden done with no one to weed and water it?

It's completely gone. Whoever broke in, also was very thorough in gleaning whatever food could be found in the garden.

Fairly well considering that there has been little rain. The roots were deep enough to pull water from deep underground.

It is pretty sickly looking, and overgrown with weeds. The ground is hard-baked clay.

21.

1 point

When Mattie wakes up in the hospital, why is she afraid of Bush Hill?

She is afraid she will be molested by some of the orderlies.

She has heard it has a high death rate.

She is afraid it is too dirty based on what she has heard.

22.

1 point

How did Nathaniel Benson and the Peales survive the epidemic?

They remained in the Peale house and ate the specimens Mr. Peale had collected when the food supplies were gone.

They secretly left the city under cover of darkness.

They opened all the windows to let in fresh air every day.

23.

1 point

What does Mattie decide to do with Nell after talking with Mother Smith about their fates?

She is going to bring Nell to the orphan house.

She is going to Bush Hill to assist Mrs. Flagg

She is going to try to find Mother and bring Nell with her to the Ludington's

24.

1 point

When Mattie and Grandfather return from the printer's shop, what do they learn about Lucille?

She was robbed in the market

She fell ill in the market and is running a fever

She was kidnapped in the market

25.

1 point

How did Mattie's father die?

He fell off a ladder and broke his neck.

He was killed in the Revolutionary War.

He was killed during a robbery attempt.

26.

1 point

What is some of the wealthier families of the city do when the fever became an epidemic?

Fled to the country where the air was "cleaner"

Imported their own coffee beans.

Protested the current immigration policy, insisting the refugees be deported.

27.

1 point

Once Mattie has fully recovered, where does the hospital clerk want to send her?

To the Ludington's farm

To the Barbados

To the orphan house

28.

1 point

Why is the city so dangerous now according to Mrs. Bowles, one of their companions on the wagon back to town.

There are wild men in the streets, there is little food and the streets are littered with dead bodies.

Windows have been shattered and there is glass all over the streets with no one left to clean it up.

The lamplighters have all fled or died and so the streets are dark even in the daytime.

29.

1 point

How were homes that had Yellow Fever marked so that others would know to stay away or that house was under quarantine?

A yellow placard was taped in the front door

A yellow rag was tied to the front door

A large skull and crossbones was painted on the door.

30.

1 point

Why didn't Polly show up for work?

She died suddenly last night after supper.

Polly's mother fears that foul play may be involved; Polly would never skip work.

She eloped with Matthew yesterday after she left the coffeehouse.