Defining Character: The Strangers That Came to Town
Selection Test
Comprehension
1. At the beginning of the story, when the Duvitches arrive in a big truck, Tom cries out,
a. “Oh, no, not the Duvitches!”
b. “Why do those immigrants have to move into our neighborhood?”
c. “Here they come, Mother!”
d. “I can’t wait to meet our new neighbors!”
2. Somehow, Tom, Andy, and their mother know that the truck
a. is the first of five trucks that will bring the Duvitches’ furniture.
b. holds all of the Duvitches’ earthly possessions.
c. is bringing the Duvitches’ horses.
d. None of the above.
3. Mother, Tom, and Andy watch the Duvitch family with “mixed emotions,” because
a. they, themselves, had wanted to move into the house across the street.
b. they had wanted the Duvitches to continue living in their rotting farmhouse.
c. they were looking forward to new neighbors, but there were so many children
in the Duvitch family.
d. the Duvitches are immigrants and the first of their nationality to settle there.
4. On moving day, Mother thought Mrs. Duvitch might be ill, because
a. she didn’t see her outside, and in her own family, if anyone were ill, they had
to stay indoors.
b. Mother had noticed that Mrs. Duvitch had a skin disease.
c. Mrs. Duvitch had sent one of her children over to borrow some aspirin.
d. None of the above.
5. “Here they come, Mother,” cries Tom, when the Duvitches’ moving truck drives up.
How could Tom have known they were moving in?
a. It had been announced in the local newspaper in Community News.
b. He is able to predict the future.
c. Tom saw a moving truck stop in front of what he knew to be an empty house.
d. Mr. Duvitch had a criminal record and the police had warned the
neighborhood.
6. Why do the townsfolk behave so badly towards the Duvitches?
a. The Duvitches are really awful people.
b. The Duvitches’ house is very dirty.
c. People are afraid of, and may be mean to, people who are different from them.
d. The Duvitches had a lot of very noisy and badly behaved children.
Name: Date:
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Literary Elements: Character Motivation
1. When Mother tries to visit Mrs. Duvitch, she is told Mrs. Duvitch is sick. Over a two-
year period, she never goes back to visit again. Why not?
a. Mother is afraid of the Duvitches.
b. Mother is a rather formal woman and thinks the Duvitches wish to be left
alone.
c. Mother does not want to catch any illness Mrs. Duvitch may have.
d. Mother already has too many friends.
2. The narrator says that Dr. Switzer is the only bright spot in town for the Duvitches,
because the doctor
a. tells wonderful stories.
b. does not hold his nose when he sees Mr. Duvitch.
c. cures Mrs. Duvitch of her skin disease.
d. visits their home, is very kind, and does not allow them to pay him.
Reading Skills and Strategies: Inferring a Character’s Motives
1. The Duvitches get their shoes, their pants and shirts, and the furnishings for their
house from the town dump, because
a. that way they don’t have to pay for them, even though the Duvitches have a lot
of money.
b. everyone in town does that.
c. they have no money, but they are very resourceful and know how to clean and
fix up clothing and furniture.
d. they are lazy and dirty.
2. Father announces that “It is high time for this feeling against the Duvitches to stop”
and he’s going to try to stop it. It is likely that he says this, because
a. his taking an active role in befriending the Duvitches is the only way to set a
powerful example for his sons, who have behaved dreadfully.
b. he wants to eat some of the fish his sons caught. He can do this if they have
dinner with the Duvitches.
c. he knows that the Duvitches are really interesting and enjoyable people.
d. he has heard that Mr. Duvitch is a talented ventriloquist, and he wants to see
him perform

PLEASE I USED ALL MY POINTS!!