Little Women — Comprehension Quiz

Multiple Choice

**1. Who is the author of Little Women?**
A. Frank T. Merrill
B. Louisa M. Alcott
C. John Bunyan
D. Edmund H. Garrett

2. What is the subtitle of the book, naming the four main characters?
A. Pilgrims of the Hearth
B. The March Family Christmas
C. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy
D. Playing Pilgrims

3. What is the title of Chapter I?
A. A Merry Christmas
B. Playing Pilgrims
C. The Laurence Boy
D. Burdens

4. Who illustrated the book with more than 200 pictures?
A. Louisa M. Alcott
B. John S. P. Alcott
C. Frank T. Merrill
D. George T. Andrew

5. At the beginning of Chapter I, what holiday is approaching?
A. Thanksgiving
B. Easter
C. Christmas
D. New Year's

6. Which sister says, "We've got father and mother and each other"?
A. Meg
B. Jo
C. Beth
D. Amy

7. Why is the family especially worried about the father in this opening scene?
A. He has lost his job
B. He is far away and will not return for a long time
C. He is sick in the next room
D. He is traveling for business and will return soon

8. Which sister is described as lying on the rug and grumbling about presents?
A. Meg
B. Jo
C. Beth
D. Amy

Short Answer

9. Explain how each of the four girls feels differently about being poor at Christmastime, based on their opening comments.

10. The Preface includes a poem "adapted from John Bunyan." Based on the poem and the chapter title "Playing Pilgrims," what do you think the book might be comparing the girls' lives to?

11. Describe the mood of the March family at the start of the story, and explain what causes their mood to "darken again" after briefly brightening.

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Answer Key

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. C
6. C
7. B
8. B
9. Meg is sad about her old dress and lack of nice things; Jo grumbles that Christmas won't feel like Christmas without presents; Amy feels it's unfair that some girls have plenty while others have nothing; Beth is content, feeling grateful for having their family together.
10. Answers may vary — students should note the book seems to compare the girls' lives/struggles to a "pilgrimage" or journey, similar to Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, suggesting the girls face challenges they must overcome, like pilgrims on a spiritual journey.
11. The mood starts gloomy, as the girls complain about being poor and missing presents. It brightens briefly when Beth reminds them they have their family, but darkens again when Jo mentions their father is away and won't return for a long time, reminding them of what they truly lack this Christmas.