The Secret of the Old Clock, Chapter XVI. Left to Starve quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Why does no one know that Nancy is at the Topham bungalow?

   • She left a note at camp, but the wind blew it away
   • The robbers cut the telephone line to the bungalow
   • She told everyone she was going to visit Abigail Rowen
   • Correct answer: Helen thinks she went home, and her father thinks she's at camp

   Helen believes Nancy started for home, and Carson Drew thinks she's staying at camp for a week.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. What does Nancy try first to open the lock?

   • A coat hanger she bends straight
   • Correct answer: A heavy wire hairpin
   • A nail from the closet wall
   • A key from her purse

   She remembers reading that a lock can be picked with a hairpin, but in the dark she makes little progress.

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3. 3

   Question 3. What does Nancy find that finally helps her?

   • Correct answer: A wooden rod that once held coat hangers
   • A small hammer in a coat pocket
   • A window hidden behind the old clothes
   • A loose board in the closet floor

   Her head bumps a narrow wooden rod running the length of the closet.

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4. 4

   Question 4. Why can't Nancy use the rod as a battering ram?

   • It is nailed tightly to the closet ceiling
   • It breaks in two when she pulls it down
   • Correct answer: It is too long for the small closet
   • It is made of soft, rotten wood that bends easily

   She finds the rod too long to use as a ram, so she uses it as a wedge instead.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. Where does Nancy push the rod to force the door?

   • Under the bottom edge of the door
   • Through the keyhole
   • Correct answer: In the crack between the hinges
   • Against the door knob

   She inserts it in the crack between the hinges and throws her weight against it.

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6. 6

   Question 6. What does the man outside think when he hears Nancy?

   • That she is Helen Corning from the camp
   • That she is a ghost haunting the bungalow
   • That she is Mrs. Topham coming home early
   • Correct answer: That she is a robber trying to trick him

   He thinks she is one of the robbers imitating a lady's voice.

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. Why doesn't the man let Nancy out right away?

   • He wants to call the police first
   • Correct answer: He has misplaced the key
   • He still thinks she is a robber
   • The door is jammed from her prying

   He agrees to let her out, but then cries that he has misplaced the key.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What does 'plight' mean in: 'the cruel, hardened rascals were indifferent to her plight'?

   • Correct answer: A dangerous or difficult situation
   • A long journey by train
   • A promise made to a friend
   • A sudden flash of light

   Nancy is trapped and in danger, and the robbers don't care.

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9. 9

   Question 9. What does 'tarry' mean in: 'The robbers were far too wise to tarry'?

   • To steal from someone again and again
   • Correct answer: To stay longer than needed
   • To argue with each other loudly
   • To run as fast as possible

   Nancy reasons that the robbers wouldn't hang around after the robbery.

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10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these events happen in Chapter 16?

    • Nancy pounds on the closet door until her fingers are bruised.

      Happened

    • One of the robbers comes back to check on Nancy.

      Didn't happen

    • Nancy tears a hinge loose using a wooden rod.

      Happened

    • Helen Corning arrives from camp to find Nancy.

      Didn't happen

    Read the passage