The Story of an Hour MCQ Questions and Answers – Louise has a heart ailment, so her sister Josephine tells her about her husband Brently’s death in a gentle way. Louise is devastated and goes to her room to cry.
As she sits by the window, she starts to feel a sense of freedom she’s never felt before. She repeats the word “Free!” to herself and feels happy and excited about her future.
But then her sister Josephine warns her to come out of her room or she’ll get sick. Louise ignores her and keeps dreaming about her future.
Just then, the front door opens, and Brently walks in. He’s alive! Josephine screams, and Louise’s heart can’t handle the shock. She dies of a heart attack, and the doctors say it was because she was too happy to see her husband alive again.
The Story of an Hour MCQ Questions and Answers

1. Who is the protagonist of the story?
A) Brently Mallard
B) Louise Mallard
C) Josephine
D) Richards
2. What is Louise Mallard suffering from?
A) Lung disease
B) Heart disease
C) Kidney disease
D) Cancer
3. How does Louise initially react to the news of her husband’s death?
A) She is relieved
B) She grieves
C) She is angry
D) She is indifferent
4. What does Louise realize after her initial grief?
A) Her dependence on her husband
B) Her newfound freedom
C) Her love for her husband
D) Her hatred for her husband
5. Who informs Louise about Brently’s alleged death?
A) Richards
B) Josephine
C) Brently himself
D) A stranger
6. Who learns of Brently’s supposed death and shares the news with Josephine?
A) Richards
B) Josephine
C) Louise
D) Brently
7. What triggers a fatal heart attack in Louise?
A) The news of her husband’s death
B) The return of her husband
C) Her newfound freedom
D) Her grief
8. What is the cause of Louise’s death, according to the story?
A) Heart disease
B) Grief
C) The “joy that kills”
D) Shock
9. Who plays a crucial role in comforting Louise during her grief?
A) Richards
B) Brently
C) Josephine
D) A stranger
10. What is Brently’s role in the story?
A) The protagonist
B) Louise’s husband
C) The antagonist
D) A stranger
11. What is Richards’ relationship to Brently?
A) Brother
B) Friend
C) Father
D) Stranger
12. What is the ultimate fate of Louise Mallard?
A) She lives happily ever after.
B) She dies of a heart attack.
C) She becomes a widow.
D) She runs away.
13. When was “The Story of an Hour” written by Kate Chopin?
A) December 6, 1894
B) January 5, 1895
C) April 19, 1894
D) None of the above
14. Where was “The Story of an Hour” originally published?
A) St. Louis Life
B) Harper’s Bazaar
C) Vogue
D) The New York Times
15. What was the original title of “The Story of an Hour” when it was published in Vogue?
B) “The Dream of an Hour”
C) “The Hour of Freedom”
D) “The Joy of Death”
16. Why was great care taken to break the news of her husband’s death to Mrs. Mallard?
A) She was old and frail.
B) She was afflicted with a heart trouble.
C) She was young and strong.
D) She was pregnant.
17. What does the open window symbolize in “The Story of an Hour”?
A) Sense of vacancy
B) Sense of loneliness
C) Sense of possibility
D) Sense of rejection
18. What was Richards’ role in the story?
A) He was Mrs. Mallard’s brother.
B) He was Brently Mallard’s friend.
C) He was a doctor.
D) He was a stranger.
19. What does Mrs. Mallard’s ‘heart trouble’ symbolize?
A) Heart disease.
B) Emotional upliftment.
C) Emotional vulnerability.
D) Feeling of freedom.
20. What did Mrs. Mallard see from her window?
A) A park
B) A garden
C) Tops of trees
D) A river
21. What was Mrs. Mallard feeling as she sat in her armchair?
A) Sadness
B) Anger
C) Fear
D) A sense of freedom
22. What was the “something” that Mrs. Mallard felt was coming to her?
A) Death
B) Freedom
C) Love
D) Fear
23. What did Mrs. Mallard whisper to herself repeatedly?
A) “sad”
B) “angry”
C) “free”
D) “scared”
24. Who was kneeling before the closed door, imploring for admission?
A) Richards
B) Brently Mallard
C) Josephine
D) A stranger
25. What did Mrs. Mallard say to Josephine when she asked her to open the door?
A) “Go away, I am not making myself ill.”
B) “Come in, I need your help.”
C) “I am busy, come back later.”
D) “I am tired, leave me alone.”
26. What was Mrs. Mallard drinking in through the open window?
A) Fresh air
B) A cup of tea
C) An elixir of life
D) A glass of water
27. What did Mrs. Mallard pray for?
A) A short life
B) A long life
C) A happy life
D) A sad life
28. Who entered the house with a latchkey?
A) Richards
B) Brently Mallard
C) Josephine
D) A stranger
29. Why was Richards trying to screen Brently Mallard from Mrs. Mallard’s view?
A) He was trying to protect Brently.
B) He was trying to protect Mrs. Mallard.
C) He was trying to hide something.
D) He was trying to surprise Mrs. Mallard.
30. What did the doctors say was the cause of Mrs. Mallard’s death?
A) Heart disease
B) Heart disease – of the joy that kills
C) A broken heart
D) Old age
31. What was the name of Mrs. Mallard’s husband?
A) Brently Mallard
B) Josephine
C) Richards
D) Louise Mallard
32. What was Josephine afraid of?
A) Louise would commit suicide
B) Louise would have a heart attack
C) Louise would kill Richards
D) Louise would become mad
33. What does the term, ‘monstrous joy’ refer?
A) Her feeling of elation at her husband’s death
B) Her feeling of grief
C) Her feeling of love
D) None of these
34. What did Mrs. Mallard feel was approaching her as she sat in her armchair?
A) Death
B) Freedom
C) Love
D) Fear
35. What did Mrs. Mallard whisper to herself repeatedly as she felt the approach of freedom?
B) “I am free”
C) “Body and soul free”
D) “I am scared”
36. How did Mrs. Mallard’s sister Josephine try to get her attention?
A) By knocking at the door
B) By calling out her name
C) By kneeling before the closed door and imploring for admission
D) By sending her a message
37. What was Mrs. Mallard’s physical state after hearing the news of her husband’s death?
A) She was energetic and lively
B) She was exhausted and weak
C) She was angry and aggressive
D) She was relieved and happy
38. What did Mrs. Mallard see beyond the bitter moment of her husband’s death?
A) A life of loneliness and isolation
B) A life of freedom and independence
C) A life of poverty and struggle
D) A life of happiness and fulfillment
39. What was the “monstrous joy” that Mrs. Mallard felt?
A) The joy of being reunited with her husband
B) The joy of being free from her husband’s control
C) The joy of being wealthy and prosperous
D) The joy of being famous and successful
40. What was the ultimate cause of Mrs. Mallard’s death?
A) Heart disease
B) Shock
C) A broken heart
D) Old age
Assertion-reason Type Question
- Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s marriage was completely oppressive.
Reason (R): She felt a sense of freedom and relief after hearing the news of her husband’s death.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s death was ironic.
Reason (R): She died of a heart attack not after hearing the news of her husband’s death, but after seeing him alive.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Josephine told Mrs. Mallard the news of her husband’s death in a gentle manner.
Reason (R): Mrs. Mallard’s sister, Josephine, was protective of her.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s newfound freedom was short-lived.
Reason (R): She died shortly after hearing the news of her husband’s death.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s husband’s return was unexpected.
Reason (R): Mrs. Mallard had been told that her husband was dead.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s death was a result of her weak heart.
Reason (R): The doctors said that she died of a heart disease.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s newfound freedom gave her a sense of weakness.
Reason (R): She felt a sense of relief and joy after hearing the news of her husband’s death.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s husband was not controlling.
Reason (R): He did not want her to know about his death.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true. - Assertion (A): Mrs. Mallard’s death was a tragic consequence of her emotional state.
Reason (R): She died of a heart attack after seeing her husband alive.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Relation between Two Statements
1. Statement (A): Mrs. Mallard had a heart condition.
Statement (B): This was not so important in the story’s ending.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
2. Statement (A): Richards rushed to tell Mrs. Mallard the news.
Statement (B): He wanted to be the first to deliver the message.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
3. Statement (A): Mrs. Mallard wept in her sister’s arms.
Statement (B): Mrs. Mallard felt something approaching her.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
4. Statement (A): She sank into an armchair.
Statement (B): Mrs. Mallard felt physically exhausted.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
5. Statement (A): Mrs. Mallard gazed out the window.
Statement (B): She noticed the signs of winter.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
6. Statement (A): Mrs. Mallard felt something approaching her.
Statement (B): She was afraid of it.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
7. Statement (A): Mrs. Mallard whispered the word “free.”
Statement (B): She recognized her newfound independence.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
8. Statement (A): Mrs. Mallard prayed for a long life.
Statement (B): She desired to enjoy her freedom.
a) B contradicts A
b) B is the reason for A
c) A is true but B is false
d) A and B are independent of each other
Case-based Questions
Case 1: Mrs. Mallard has just received the news of her husband’s death.
Question: How did Mrs. Mallard react to the news of her husband‘s death?
a) She was calm and composed
b) She was angry and resentful
c) She wept with sudden, wild abandonment
d) She was indifferent and uncaring
Case 2: Mrs. Mallard is sitting alone in her room, looking out of the window.
Question: What is Mrs. Mallard feeling as she sits alone in her room?
a) Sadness and grief
b) Fear and anxiety
c) A sense of freedom and joy
d) Anger and resentment
Case 3: Mrs. Mallard’s sister Josephine is trying to get her to open the door.
Question: Why is Josephine trying to get Mrs. Mallard to open the door?
a) She is worried about Mrs. Mallard’s safety
b) She wants to comfort Mrs. Mallard in her grief
c) She needs to tell Mrs. Mallard something important
d) She is trying to get Mrs. Mallard to eat something
Case 4: Mrs. Mallard’s husband Brently walks in the door, alive.
Question: How does Mrs. Mallard react to seeing her husband alive?
a) She is overjoyed and relieved
b) She is shocked and stunned
c) She is angry and resentful
d) She dies of shock
Case 5: The doctors examine Mrs. Mallard after her death.
Question: What do the doctors say is the cause of Mrs. Mallard’s death?
a) Heart attack
b) Stroke
c) Pneumonia
d) Heart disease—”the joy that kills”
Case 6: Mrs. Mallard is described as having a “fair, calm face”.
Question: What does Mrs. Mallard’s face reveal about her personality?
a) She is emotional and expressive
b) She is calm and reserved
c) She is anxious and worried
d) She is angry and resentful
Case 7: Richards is present when Mrs. Mallard receives the news of her husband’s death.
Question: What is Richards’ relationship to Brently Mallard?
a) He is Brently’s brother
b) He is Brently’s friend
c) He is a stranger
d) He is Brently’s business partner
Case 8: Mrs. Mallard is looking out the window, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
Question: What does it reveal about the character of the woman?
a) She is an infidel
b) She is a self-obsessed woman
c) Mrs. Mallard was not mentally stable
d) She is a woman who loves her freedom just like any other mortal being
Case 9: Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhole imploring her admission.
Question: Why is Josephine kneeling before the closed door?
a) She is praying
b) She is trying to listen to Mrs. Mallard
c) She is trying to get Mrs. Mallard to open the door
d) She is hiding
Case 10: When the doctor came they said she had died of heart disease—”the joy that kills.”
Question: What do you think might be the actual incident behind “the joy that kills”?
a) She was so happy to see her husband that she had cardiac arrest.
b) She was actually shocked to see her husband and was at a loss, thinking she might once again lose her freedom. This overwhelmed her and killed her in the process.
c) The news her husband being alive was so overwhelming to her that she killed herself.
d) None of the above.
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