Excerpt from "Mary Louise" by L. Frank Baum

Question

"It's positively cruel!" pouted Jennie Allen, one of a group of girls occupying a garden
bench in the ample grounds of Miss Stearne's School for Girls, at Beverly.

"It's worse than that; it's insulting," declared Mable Westervelt, her big dark eyes flashing
indignantly.

"Doesn't it seem to reflect on our characters?" timidly asked Dorothy Knerr.

"Indeed it does!" asserted Sue Finley. "But here comes Mary Louise; let's ask her opinion."

"Phoo! Mary Louise is only a day scholar," said Jennie. "The restriction doesn't apply to her
at all."

"I'd like to hear what she says, anyhow," remarked Dorothy. "Mary Louise has a way of
untangling things, you know."

"She's rather too officious to suit me," Mable Westervelt retorted, "and she's younger than
any of us. One would think, the way she poses as monitor at this second-rate, run-down
boarding school, that Mary Louise Burrows made the world."

"Oh, Mable! I've never known her to pose at all," said Sue. "But, hush; she mustn't
overhear us and, besides, if we want her to intercede with Miss Stearne we must not offend
her."

The girl they were discussing came leisurely down a path, her books under one arm, the
other hand holding a class paper which she examined in a cursory way as she walked. She
wore a dark skirt and a simple shirtwaist, both quite modish and becoming, and her shoes were
the admiration and envy of half the girls at the school. Dorothy Knerr used to say that "Mary
Louise's clothes always looked as if they grew on her," but that may have been partially
accounted for by the grace of her slim form and her unconscious but distinctive poise of
bearing. Few people would describe Mary Louise Burrows as beautiful, while all would agree
that she possessed charming manners. And she was fifteen—an age when many girls are both
awkward and shy.

As she drew near to the group on the bench they ceased discussing Mary Louise but
continued angrily to canvass their latest grievance.

"What do you think, Mary Louise," demanded Jennie, as the girl paused before them, "of
this latest outrage?"

"What outrage, Jen?" with a whimsical smile at their indignant faces.

"This latest decree of the tyrant Stearne. Didn't you see it posted on the blackboard this
morning? 'The young ladies will hereafter refrain from leaving the school grounds after the hour
of six p.m., unless written permission is first secured from the Principal. Any infraction of this
rule will result in suspension or permanent dismissal.' We're determined not to stand for this
rule a single minute. We intend to strike for our liberties."

Question 1 (1 point)
Which word best describes Mable Westervelt?

Question 1 options:

generous

humble

loyal

critical

Question 2 (1 point)
In line 2, ample most nearly means _____.

Question 2 options:

spacious

imaginary

concrete

metallic

Question 3 (1 point)
When Dorothy says "Mary Louise has a a way of untangling things, you know," she most likely means that Mary Louise_______.

Question 3 options:

complicates important matters

has excellent knitting skills

is an attractive and charming girl

can make sense of problems

Question 4 (1 point)
The primary purpose of this passage is to ______.

Question 4 options:

discuss the challenges of living in a boarding school

argue that boarding schools are not healthy for young people

describe a typical childhood in years past

tell a story about young girls living in a boarding school

Question 5 (1 point)
Which point of view is this story written from?

Question 5 options:

third limited

second

third omniscient

first

Answer 1

Here are the answers based on the excerpt provided:

Question 1: Which word best describes Mable Westervelt?

• Answer: critical

Question 2: In line 2, ample most nearly means _____.

• Answer: spacious

Question 3: When Dorothy says "Mary Louise has a way of untangling things, you know," she most likely means that Mary Louise_______.

• Answer: can make sense of problems

Question 4: The primary purpose of this passage is to ______.

• Answer: tell a story about young girls living in a boarding school

Question 5: Which point of view is this story written from?

• Answer: third omniscient

These answers reflect the context and implications of the text provided.