The Secret of the Old Clock, Chapter VI. An Unpleasant Encounter quiz
From The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Chapter 6 of The Secret of the Old Clock: Ada Topham breaks a costly vase and blames a shopgirl, Nancy speaks up for her, then overhears the sisters say "the will."
10 questions · about 11 minutes
Questions and answers
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Question 1. Why does Nancy go out walking at the start of the chapter?
- Correct answer: Her father urges her to stop worrying and get some air
- To meet Helen Corning in the park
- To return the party dress she bought on her last shopping trip
- To buy a gift for Allie and Grace
Carson Drew tells her to go shopping, or anything, to take her mind off the case.
Read the passage -
Question 2. How does the expensive bowl get knocked off the counter?
- The saleswoman drops it while showing it
- Isabel pushes it to embarrass the saleswoman
- Correct answer: Ada's sleeve catches it as she brushes past
- A shopper bumps into the counter by accident
Nancy sees Ada brush against the counter and catch the bowl with her sleeve.
Read the passage -
Question 3. What do Ada and Isabel claim happened to the bowl?
- That a small child ran past and pulled it off the counter
- Correct answer: That the saleswoman knocked it to the floor herself
- That the bowl was already cracked before they touched it
- That Nancy Drew bumped into the counter and broke it
Ada says the saleswoman knocked it off, and Isabel solemnly agrees to the untruth.
Read the passage -
Question 4. How much does the floor manager say the bowl costs?
- One hundred dollars
- Ten dollars
- Twenty-five dollars
- Correct answer: Fifty dollars
He studies a price list and says fifty dollars; the vase was imported from Italy.
Read the passage -
Question 5. Why does Ada finally agree to pay?
- Correct answer: The manager threatens to call the authorities and Isabel talks to her
- Ada's father arrives at the store and tells her to pay
- The saleswoman begins to cry and Ada feels sorry for her
- Nancy offers to pay half if Ada pays the rest
The manager says he will turn her over to the authorities, and after Isabel whispers to her, Ada pays.
Read the passage -
Question 6. Why does Nancy leave the sidewalk and take a path through the bushes?
- She is looking for a shortcut through the park to her father's office
- She hears someone calling for help in the park
- She is following the Topham sisters on purpose
- Correct answer: She wants to avoid passing right in front of the Tophams
She knows the sisters would say something mean and she might lose her temper, so she decides to slip behind their bench.
Read the passage -
Question 7. What makes Nancy stop and listen behind the bench?
- She hears her own name spoken angrily
- She hears the sisters planning to visit Masonville
- Correct answer: She hears Ada say the words "the will"
- She hears Isabel mention the Horner girls
The phrase Nancy accidentally overhears is "the will," and she suspects it means Josiah Crowley's will.
Read the passage -
Question 8. What does 'exonerate' mean in: 'he was about to exonerate Ada from all blame'?
- To charge with a crime
- Correct answer: To clear of blame
- To punish severely
- To ask a question of
The floor manager is about to let Ada off, which is why Nancy steps forward.
Read the passage -
Question 9. What does 'engrossed' mean in: 'Ada and Isabel were so engrossed in their conversation that they failed to notice Nancy's approach'?
- Correct answer: Completely absorbed
- Quiet and shy
- Angry and upset
- Bored and sleepy
The sisters are so wrapped up in their talk that they don't see Nancy coming.
Read the passage -
Question 10. Which of these events happen in Chapter 6?
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Nancy tells the floor manager she saw Ada's sleeve catch the vase.
Happened
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The saleswoman is fired for breaking the vase.
Didn't happen
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Ada pays for the vase with a check.
Happened
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Nancy confronts the Topham sisters on the park bench.
Didn't happen
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Play it live with your class.
Put the code on the screen and students join on whatever they have.