Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird" Quiz

Answer: She was really looking forward to it.

"I never looked forward more to anything in my life" is what she recalls. She had spent a lot of time spying on the schoolyard from the treehouse, getting to know the games and their other activities.

Answer: It was as natural to her as breathing.

When Miss Caroline said that Atticus had to stop reading to her, Scout had never realised how much she loved reading. She took it for granted like the process of breathing.

Answer: hit on the hand with a ruler and made to stand in a corner

Miss Caroline's punishment is so light and delicate that it takes a while for the class and Scout to realise that she was being "whipped". Scout had attempted to tell Miss Caroline about Walter Cunningham's failure to have a lunch pail.

Answer: She commented on Walter Cunningham pouring molasses on his food.

Calpurnia is trying to instil into Scout that guests, no matter how they behave, should always be treated with courtesy. Scout's resentment for Calpurnia over this incident makes her ask Atticus to send Calpurnia packing.

Answer: crackling bread

Calpurnia, in an unsentimental sort of way, says that she missed Scout during the day and that she had time to make crackling bread. Scout merely thinks that this shows that she "has at last seen the error of her fractious ways" but was too stubborn to say that she was sorry.

Answer: He would go on reading to her and she would agree to go to school.

Atticus calls it a compromise. Scout, reluctant to return to school after her eventful first day, is prepared to do nearly anything to go on reading and being read to. She is even prepared to face school again, in spite of using the example of Burris Ewell as an attempt to get out of attending.

Answer: She was bored, frustrated and felt cheated.

She refers to it as "twelve years of unrelieved boredom" and talks about inching "sluggishly along the treadmill". Her imagination is starved by what the school provides which is why she longs for the summer so much and the company of Dill.

Answer: She beat him up twice.

Jem and Dill begin to form a friendship from which Scout starts to feel excluded. She knows that it is because she is regarded as just a "girl". As a result of this treatment she begins to spend more time in the company of Miss Maudie.

Answer: When she saw snow for the first time.

Snow in Alabama was such a rare thing that Scout was totally unprepared for what happened that winter. She even put out her tongue to catch a snowflake and decided that, because it burned, it must be something hot.

Answer: Boo Radley put it there.

Jem and Atticus work out that Boo must have come out of the Radley house and crept up behind her as she stood watching. Jem is particularly anxious that Boo shouldn't get into trouble for trying to help them. He doesn't want the blanket sent back in a way that would betray Boo.

Answer: faking dizziness and mild gastric complaints

She also mentions "sinking spells" and talks about the way in which she paid a nickel for the privilege of rubbing her head against a boy's head to see if she could catch ringworm from him. All of these devices proved very unsuccessful.

Answer: She was cold and there.

Aunt Alexandra was not a woman who was prepared to show any affection or any emotion (apart from disapproval or anger). Thus she was cold. She was "there" because she was a member of the family and thus an inevitable part of Scout's life. This refers to the climber who is supposed to have said he wanted to climb Everest because it was there.

Answer: She called him a name and smashed her fist into his teeth.

Francis has roused Scout's temper by sneering at Dill and his background. He provoked her into violence by attacking Atticus and calling him a "nigger-lover". Scout calls him a "whore-lady" and skins her knuckles on his front teeth. She knows it is a swear word but doesn't know what it means.

Answer: Miss Maudie Atkinson tells her.

Scout spends a lot of time becoming friendly with Miss Maudie and learns many things about her father. She is looking in vain for something about Atticus that she can admire. Miss Maudie tries to point out Atticus' skill as a lawyer and his modesty about his talents.

Answer: a twirling baton.

"It was then my burning ambition to grow up and twirl with the Maycomb County High School band". Alas, the baton gets snapped by Jem when he has his fit of temper over Mrs. Dubose.

Answer: She would be waiting on tables at the O.K. cafe.

The O.K. cafe was on the other side of the main square and it was thus at that stage in her life well beyond the "known world" for Scout. Later when Jem goes to read to her Mrs Dubose calls Scout his "dirty little sister".

Answer: She starts calling him "Mister Jem".

Scout is appalled to find that her brother is moving further away from her and is now being treated by the adults with more respect. She is finding him impossible to live with. Calpurnia warns her that Jem will want to be on his own far more often and offers herself as a replacement.

Answer: The way they sing hymns by the process of "lining".

All churches were hot and most churches have a collection. Scout finds Reverend Sykes' sermon much the same as the usual ones. Following one person's guide in singing is what amazes her. The way the door is locked whilst the collection is taken also surprises her but not the fact that there is a collection.

Answer: He won't get rid of Calpurnia as she asks.

It is when Aunt Alexandra finds out that Scout and Jem have been to Calpurnia's church that the argument starts. Atticus is prepared to make his children obey his sister and to let her influence Scout's clothing if she can. He won't sack Calpurnia and later even Aunt Alexandra finds Calpurnia useful at her Missionary Tea.

Answer: Mr. Cunningham's entailment and his son.

Scout is trying to be courteous by talking to Mr. Cunningham about the things she thinks he will be interested in. She is not aware of the true danger of the situation. Her "normal" behaviour makes them think of Atticus as an individual and the lynch mob eventually breaks up without attempting anything illegal.

Answer: He chews a cigar and spits it out gradually during the day.

The Judge is portrayed as being both eccentric and fair. He also demonstrates strong control of his courtroom and a deep knowledge of the law. Atticus suggests that Judge Taylor and Mrs. Taylor don't go in for kissing very much.

Answer: Mayella's skin looked naturally clean - Bob Ewell's skin was red.

Bob Ewell's skin was red - as though he had been scalded. Scout was convinced that an overnight soaking had removed protective layers of dirt. Mayella looked like she tried to keep herself clean most of the time.

Answer: She closed her eyes.

Scout already knew what the verdict would be for she had noticed that none of the jury had looked at the defendant. She had imagined Atticus out on the street once more trying to face the mad dog - only this time he had an empty gun.

Answer: She carries a tray of cookies to Mrs Merriweather at the meeting.

Mrs. Merriweather has insulted Atticus in his own house by commenting on misguided people who try to help the negroes. Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandra are also reeling from the news that Tom Robinson is dead. All three rally together to maintain the old-fashioned notion of courtesy to guests no matter what the situation.

Answer: She led him to the chair on the porch in the deepest shadow.

She knew that he would want to avoid being in the light and possibly being stared at. She remained alert to his "body English" and understood the way he wanted to "pet" Jem. When she reached the Radley porch she realised how big a part he had played in their lives.