The Hidden Staircase, Chapter XXIII. Notifying the Police quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why does Floretta think Gombet may be getting suspicious?

   • He left a second warning note on their front doorstep
   • He has stopped feeding the birds in his house
   • Correct answer: He came that morning with an offer for the house
   • He was seen buying a train ticket in Cliffwood

   She says he would not have come with his offer that morning unless he was beginning to suspect.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. What does the sheriff say about Gombet before he hears Carson Drew's name?

   • Correct answer: He has never heard of Gombet doing any harm
   • He thinks Gombet left Cliffwood a month ago
   • He says Gombet is a close friend of his family
   • He has arrested Gombet twice before for theft

   He says folks call Gombet a little queer, but he never heard of him doing harm.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. How does Rosemary answer when the sheriff says Gombet has never done harm?

   • We should have gone to the city police
   • Correct answer: There's always a first time
   • My sister and I will hire a detective
   • Then you must not know him well

   Rosemary snaps back that there is always a first time.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Why does Nancy slow down as she nears Gombet's house?

   • She sees Gombet standing in the road with a gun
   • The road is washed out by the heavy rain
   • Floretta asks her to stop so she can rest
   • Correct answer: She wants to approach quietly and not give an alarm

   She thinks it wisest to come up cautiously, but the police car races ahead and roars down the drive.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. What does Nancy fear Gombet will do after all the sheriff's noise?

   • Set his birds loose all over the house
   • Correct answer: Slip away through the secret tunnel
   • Burn the papers the sisters were to sign
   • Run to the railroad station for a train

   She worries he will slip through the secret tunnel and escape, which would ruin everything.

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. Why does Floretta pull Nancy back into the car?

   • She is afraid of Gombet's many birds
   • She thinks the sheriff is about to leave
   • Correct answer: She is afraid there may be shooting
   • She wants Nancy to drive them home right away

   Floretta begs her not to go because there may be shooting.

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7. 7

   Question 7. What easier way into the house does Nancy suggest?

   • Correct answer: Through the cellar window, then up the stairs to the kitchen
   • Through the barn, which has a passage to the house
   • Through the front door with a key the sisters gave her
   • Up a ladder to an open window on the second floor

   She remembers the cellar window and the stairway from the cellar to the kitchen.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does 'corroborated' mean in: 'At various points, Rosemary and Floretta corroborated her story.'?

   • Laughed at or mocked
   • Interrupted or stopped
   • Forgot or mixed up
   • Correct answer: Backed up or confirmed

   The sisters spoke up to show that Nancy's story was true.

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9. 9

   Question 9. What does 'crestfallen' mean in: 'he said, somewhat crestfallen'?

   • Correct answer: Sad and let down
   • Angry and loud
   • Sleepy and slow
   • Proud and pleased

   Nancy has just scolded the sheriff for his noisy arrival, and he feels let down.

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these events happen in Chapter 23?

    • The sheriff orders his men to surround Gombet's house.

      Happened

    • Nancy telephones the sheriff from a farmhouse along the road.

      Didn't happen

    • Nancy shows the men the cellar window into Gombet's house.

      Happened

    • The sheriff fires his pistol through the kitchen door.

      Didn't happen

    Read the passage