The Hidden Staircase, Chapter XIV. What Happened to Carson Drew quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why does Carson Drew decide to leave Chicago a day early?

   • Correct answer: His business there was finished ahead of time
   • Nancy wired him to come home as fast as he could
   • The law firm asked him to go to Cliffwood at once
   • He had a bad feeling that Nancy was in some danger

   His negotiations went so well that his business was done a day earlier than he expected.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. Who hands Carson Drew the telegram signed "Nancy" on the train?

   • A boy selling newspapers in the aisle
   • Correct answer: The conductor of the train, on his rounds
   • A clerk who boards at the last station
   • A passenger sitting across from him

   The conductor says the train picked up the telegram at the last station.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. According to Gombet, how was Nancy hurt?

   • A tree fell across her car during a storm last night
   • She was struck by a passing train near the station
   • Correct answer: Her roadster ran off the road into a ditch
   • She was thrown from a horse on the River Road

   Gombet says her roadster ran into a ditch in front of his house because the steering gear broke.

   Read the passage
4. 4

   Question 4. Why does Gombet say Nancy was not taken to a hospital?

   • The hospital in Cliffwood had no beds left that night
   • Nancy begged to be taken to his house instead
   • No doctor could be found anywhere in Cliffwood
   • Correct answer: She was too badly injured to be moved at all

   Gombet explains glibly that she was too badly injured to be moved.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. Why does no one see Carson Drew drive away with Gombet?

   • Gombet made him lie down on the floor of the car
   • Correct answer: That side of the station was practically deserted
   • It was still dark and foggy outside the station
   • Everyone was crowding around the train's front car

   The station on that side was practically deserted, so no one saw the car leave.

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. What does Carson Drew fail to notice as they pass through Gombet's kitchen?

   • A second car parked in the yard behind the house
   • A telephone wire that had been cut near the stove
   • A pile of papers about the river land on the table
   • Correct answer: The servant receiving a meaningful nod from Gombet

   Intent on reaching Nancy, he does not see the nod; afterward the servant locks the outside door.

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. Why does Carson Drew push aside his doubts about Gombet's strange look?

   • He trusts Gombet because they once worked together
   • He believes Gombet has changed since their last quarrel
   • Correct answer: He thinks Gombet is hiding how badly Nancy is hurt
   • He is too sleepy from the long train ride to think

   He decides Gombet is more likely keeping Nancy's true condition from him, and the thought nearly drives him wild.

   Read the passage
8. 8

   Question 8. What does 'oblivious' mean in: 'Oblivious of impending danger, Mr. Drew settled himself comfortably in the Pullman'?

   • Correct answer: Unaware of
   • Afraid of
   • Angry about
   • Ready for

   Carson Drew relaxes on the train because he has no idea that danger lies ahead.

   Read the passage
9. 9

   Question 9. What does 'plausible' mean in: 'trying to make his explanation appear plausible'?

   • Correct answer: Believable
   • Short
   • Funny
   • Polite

   Gombet adds details so his lie about the accident will sound believable.

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these events happen in Chapter 14?

    • Carson Drew reads a telegram signed with Nancy's name on the train.

      Happened

    • Carson Drew takes a taxi from the station to The Mansion.

      Didn't happen

    • Gombet drives Carson Drew to a large stone house.

      Happened

    • Nancy waits for her father on the station platform.

      Didn't happen

    Read the passage