What year was the Shunned House built?
- 1763
- 1815
- 1797
- 1860
Correct Answer: 1763
Correct Answer Explanation: The Shunned House was constructed in 1763 by William Harris, a merchant and seaman. The house stands on a site previously used as a graveyard, hinting at the possible source of its haunting.
What was the name of the original owner of the Shunned House?
- Etienne Roulet
- William Harris
- Paul Roulet
- Jacques Roulet
Correct Answer: William Harris
Correct Answer Explanation: The house was originally built by William Harris, a merchant who frequently traveled to the Caribbean. His travels may have exposed him to tropical diseases, leading to a series of misfortunes and deaths in the house.
What year did the town council order the Shunned House to be fumigated?
- 1804
- 1773
- 1861
- 1815
Correct Answer: 1804
Correct Answer Explanation: After a series of deaths attributed to a fever epidemic in 1804, the town council ordered the house to be fumigated. Despite the efforts to sanitize the house, the deaths and illnesses continued, solidifying the house’s reputation as cursed.
What was the name of the French family that was connected to the Shunned House’s history?
- The Harris Family
- The Roulet Family
- The Smith Family
- The Brown Family
Correct Answer: The Roulet Family
Correct Answer Explanation: The Roulet family, a group of French settlers, owned the property before William Harris. The Roulets had their own graveyard on the site, adding to the house’s haunted history.
What was the name of the creature that haunted the Shunned House?
- The Ghost
- The Demon
- The Poltergeist
- The Creature
Correct Answer: The Creature
Correct Answer Explanation: The haunting entity in the house was not a traditional ghost, but rather a creature of unknown origin, described as a vaporous, gelatinous mass that thrives on the life force of its victims.
What event led to the Roulet family being expelled from Providence?
- A fire
- A plague
- A riot
- A flood
Correct Answer: A riot
Correct Answer Explanation: The Roulet family was expelled from Providence after a riot, adding to the mystery surrounding the house. The cause of the riot is never fully revealed, contributing to the chilling and unsettling atmosphere of the story.
What was the name of the original owner’s wife who went insane?
- Rhoby Harris
- Abigail Harris
- Ruth Harris
- Mary Harris
Correct Answer: Rhoby Harris
Correct Answer Explanation: Rhoby Harris, the wife of William Harris, experienced a mental breakdown, her ravings about a “biting presence” fueled local legends about the house. Her madness is often seen as a symptom of the house’s haunting influence.
What did the narrator and his uncle use to combat the creature in the cellar?
- Guns and swords
- A crucifix and holy water
- Scientific instruments
- A silver bullet
Correct Answer: Scientific instruments
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator and his uncle armed themselves with scientific instruments, such as a Crookes tube and a flamethrower, hoping to use science to combat the supernatural. This clash of scientific rationality and the supernatural adds to the story’s chilling atmosphere.
What type of creature was the creature that haunted the Shunned House?
- A vampire
- A werewolf
- A witch
- It is never clearly defined
Correct Answer: It is never clearly defined
Correct Answer Explanation: The story doesn’t explicitly define what the creature is, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Its origins and true nature remain a mystery, leaving the reader to speculate.
What happened to the narrator’s uncle during the vigil in the cellar?
- He was killed by the creature
- He escaped the house
- He went insane
- He became a monster
Correct Answer: He became a monster
Correct Answer Explanation: During the vigil in the cellar, the creature attacked the narrator’s uncle, transforming him into a horrifying amalgamation of faces and monstrous forms. This demonstrates the creature’s power to manipulate and corrupt living beings.
What did the narrator use to destroy the creature in the Shunned House?
- A silver bullet
- A stake through the heart
- Sulfuric acid
- Holy water
Correct Answer: Sulfuric acid
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator filled a pit in the cellar with sulfuric acid, using it as a weapon against the creature. The act symbolizes a desperate attempt to combat an evil that cannot be vanquished by conventional means.
What did the narrator observe happening to the Shunned House after destroying the creature?
- It disappeared
- It caught fire
- It became peaceful
- It was torn down
Correct Answer: It became peaceful
Correct Answer Explanation: The Shunned House seemed to be cleansed of its evil after the creature was destroyed. The fetid air cleared, the fungi withered, and the garden began to produce healthy vegetation. The ending implies that even after destruction, the lingering effects of evil might not disappear entirely.
What did the death certificates of the fever victims in 1804 show that fueled rumors about the house?
- That the victims had been poisoned
- That the victims had died of old age
- That the victims had died of a rare illness
- That the victims had no blood
Correct Answer: That the victims had no blood
Correct Answer Explanation: The death certificates of those who died in the house in 1804 showed a lack of blood, fueling the rumors that the house was haunted by a creature that fed on its victims. This detail contributes to the vampire-like qualities of the creature.
In what year did the Shunned House’s last tenants suffer from anemia deaths and madness?
- 1804
- 1860 and 1861
- 1773
- 1815
Correct Answer: 1860 and 1861
Correct Answer Explanation: The house’s final tenants experienced a series of anemia deaths preceded by madness, adding to the long and horrifying history of the Shunned House. The victims’ strange behavior, including babbling in French, reinforces the connection between the house and the Roulet family.
What type of position did Etienne Roulet hold in Providence?
- A merchant
- A priest
- A lawyer
- A clerical post in a warehouse
Correct Answer: A clerical post in a warehouse
Correct Answer Explanation: Etienne Roulet, the patriarch of the family, worked as a clerk in a warehouse, highlighting his integration into the community despite the prejudices of the time. His role in society contrasts with the dark legend that surrounds his family and the Shunned House.
What was the name of the French Roulet family member who was condemned for demonic behavior?
- Jacques Roulet
- Etienne Roulet
- Paul Roulet
- Pierre Roulet
Correct Answer: Jacques Roulet
Correct Answer Explanation: The historical record of Jacques Roulet, a member of the Roulet family who was condemned for demonic behavior, further connects the family to the dark history of the house. This connection strengthens the suspicion that the creature’s evil is tied to the Roulets.
What strange shapes did the narrator discover in the cellar of the Shunned House?
- Animal shapes
- Stone shapes
- Human shapes
- Plant shapes
Correct Answer: Human shapes
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator discovered strange, almost human shapes in the mold and tree roots of the Shunned House’s cellar, a disturbing discovery that hinted at the presence of a powerful, otherworldly force. These shapes contribute to the sense of unease and the creeping dread surrounding the house.
What type of vapor did the narrator see rising from the floor in the cellar?
- Smoke
- A shimmering vapor
- Steam
- Gas
Correct Answer: A shimmering vapor
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator observed a strange, shimmering vapor rising from the floor of the cellar, a tangible manifestation of the creature’s presence and power. This visual element underscores the chilling atmosphere of the story and the supernatural nature of the creature.
What did the narrator’s uncle dream about that foreshadowed the events in the cellar?
- A house with a monstrous face
- A house with many windows
- A house with a dark shadow
- A house with the faces of the Harris family
Correct Answer: A house with the faces of the Harris family
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator’s uncle had a disturbing dream about a shifting house with the faces of the Harris family, a foreshadowing of the terrifying events that unfold in the cellar. This dream provides a symbolic connection between the house, its previous inhabitants, and the creature’s power.
What were the narrator and his uncle’s motivations for conducting the vigil in the cellar?
- To find treasure
- To prove the house was haunted
- To destroy the creature
- To experience the supernatural
Correct Answer: To destroy the creature
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator and his uncle risked their lives to enter the cellar to confront the creature. They were driven by a desire to uncover the truth about the house’s haunting and ultimately destroy the evil presence. Their actions reveal their bravery and determination to fight against the unknown.
How long did the house remain vacant before being rented out again?
- 10 years
- 30 years
- 60 years
- 100 years
Correct Answer: 60 years
Correct Answer Explanation: The Shunned House remained vacant for over 60 years after William Harris left it, demonstrating the house’s reputation as cursed and the reluctance of people to live there. This prolonged period of vacancy highlights the house’s enduring negative energy and the fear it instilled in the community.
How many carboys of sulfuric acid did the narrator empty into the hole he dug in the cellar?
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 6
Correct Answer: 6
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator used a large quantity of sulfuric acid to destroy the creature, highlighting the desperation and scale of the threat. The sheer volume of the acid used underscores the creature’s power and the overwhelming nature of the evil.
How long did the Shunned House remain in the Harris family’s possession?
- 20 years
- 50 years
- 100 years
- 200 years
Correct Answer: 100 years
Correct Answer Explanation: The Shunned House remained in the Harris family’s possession for over a century, despite the numerous deaths and illnesses. The family seemed to be bound to the house, unable to escape its curse. This long-lasting connection to the house reveals a lingering connection to the tragedy and the power of the evil present.
How many years after their arrival in Providence was the Roulet family expelled?
- 10
- 20
- 40
- 60
Correct Answer: 40
Correct Answer Explanation: The Roulet family was expelled from Providence approximately forty years after their arrival, suggesting that they were integrated into the community for a period of time. The sudden and unexplained expulsion adds to the mystery surrounding the family and the source of the evil.
What is the name of the French Protestant group that faced religious persecution?
- The Huguenots
- The Catholics
- The Quakers
- The Baptists
Correct Answer: The Huguenots
Correct Answer Explanation: The Huguenots, French Protestants, fled religious persecution in the 17th century. This historical context is relevant to the Roulet family’s story, as their expulsion from Providence could be tied to religious tensions of the time.
What was the purpose of the “Edict of Nantes”?
- To grant religious tolerance to Protestants
- To declare war on France
- To establish a new government
- To restrict religious freedom
Correct Answer: To grant religious tolerance to Protestants
Correct Answer Explanation: The Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598, granted religious tolerance to Protestants in France. However, the edict was revoked in 1685, leading to further persecution of Huguenots. This historical event is relevant to the Roulet family’s story, as it provides a historical context for the potential religious tensions that may have contributed to their expulsion from Providence.
What was the name of the scientific instrument used to study cathode rays and X-rays?
- The telescope
- The microscope
- The Crookes tube
- The radio
Correct Answer: The Crookes tube
Correct Answer Explanation: The Crookes tube, a glass tube containing gas at low pressure, was used to study cathode rays and X-rays. This scientific instrument is mentioned in the story, where it is used by the narrator and his uncle in their attempt to combat the supernatural creature.
What type of military weapon shoots a stream of fire?
- A grenade
- A tank
- A flamethrower
- A missile
Correct Answer: A flamethrower
Correct Answer Explanation: A flamethrower is a military weapon that shoots a stream of fire. It is mentioned in the story as one of the scientific instruments used by the narrator and his uncle to fight the creature.
What type of electromagnetic radiation is referred to as “ether radiations”?
- Radio waves
- Gamma rays
- Infrared radiation
- Ultraviolet radiation
Correct Answer: Ultraviolet radiation
Correct Answer Explanation: “Ether radiations” refer to ultraviolet radiation, a form of electromagnetic radiation. The term “ether” was once used to describe a hypothetical medium that carried light waves, but it is no longer considered a valid concept.
What is the theory developed by Albert Einstein that revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity?
- The theory of relativity
- The theory of quantum mechanics
- The theory of evolution
- The theory of plate tectonics
Correct Answer: The theory of relativity
Correct Answer Explanation: The theory of relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. It is mentioned in the story as an example of the limits of human knowledge and understanding in the face of the inexplicable.
What term describes interactions within the nucleus of an atom?
- Intra-atomic action
- Inter-atomic action
- Intra-molecular action
- Inter-molecular action
Correct Answer: Intra-atomic action
Correct Answer Explanation: “Intra-atomic action” refers to interactions within the nucleus of an atom. It is mentioned in the story as an example of the unknown and unexplained phenomena that the creature represents.
What is defined as something that flows out or radiates from a source?
- Emanation
- Radiation
- Transference
- Diffusion
Correct Answer: Emanation
Correct Answer Explanation: “Emanation” refers to something that flows out or radiates from a source. It is mentioned in the story in the context of the creature’s presence and its ability to influence its surroundings.
What was the name of the French settler who was granted a clerical post in a warehouse?
- Paul Roulet
- Jacques Roulet
- Etienne Roulet
- Pierre Roulet
Correct Answer: Etienne Roulet
Correct Answer Explanation: Etienne Roulet was the patriarch of the family and held a position as a clerk in a warehouse, suggesting a level of integration into the community. His role in society contrasts with the dark history and reputation of the Roulet family.
What was the name of the Roulet family member who was known for his erratic behavior?
- Etienne Roulet
- Jacques Roulet
- Pierre Roulet
- Paul Roulet
Correct Answer: Paul Roulet
Correct Answer Explanation: Paul Roulet, Etienne’s son, was known for his erratic behavior and questionable prayers, making him a suspicious figure in the community. His actions contribute to the dark reputation of the family and the growing sense of dread associated with the house.
How many deaths did the Harris family experience within a five-year period?
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
Correct Answer: 7
Correct Answer Explanation: The Harris family experienced seven deaths within a five-year period, a shocking number that fueled local rumors about the house’s ill-fate. This dramatic increase in death within such a short timeframe is a testament to the power of the creature haunting the house.
What did the narrator use to combat the creature?
- A flamethrower
- A Crookes tube
- Sulfuric acid
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator employed a range of scientific instruments to combat the creature, including a flamethrower, a Crookes tube, and sulfuric acid. This diverse arsenal reflects his desperate attempt to fight an evil that cannot be understood or controlled by conventional means.
What did the narrator’s uncle experience that convinced him of the creature’s power?
- A dream
- A physical attack
- A terrifying vision
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrator’s uncle experienced a dream about a shifting house with the faces of the Harris family, a physical attack by the creature, and a terrifying vision of the creature’s power, all of which convinced him of the creature’s destructive force. These experiences underscore the creature’s ability to manipulate and corrupt living beings.