Quiz questions
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Reading comprehension quiz questions for The Scarlet Letter — use them as a reading-check starter, a self-study tool, or a quick assessment. Answers are included below each question.
**Quiz Question — *The Scarlet Letter* by Nathaniel Hawthorne** What does the letter "A" that Hester Prynne is made to wear on her clothing originally represent? - A) Adultery - B) Alienation - C) Atonement - D) Abandonment **Correct Answer: A) Adultery** *Explanation: The Puritan community in Boston forces Hester to wear a scarlet "A" as a public symbol of shame for her sin of adultery, which led to the birth of her daughter, Pearl.*
ap_lit · common_core · aqa
**Quiz Question — *The Scarlet Letter* by Nathaniel Hawthorne** What does the scarlet letter "A" that Hester Prynne is required to wear initially represent? - A) Adultery - B) Atonement - C) Abandonment - D) Ambition **Correct Answer: A) Adultery** *Explanation: Hester Prynne is condemned by the Puritan community in Boston to wear a scarlet "A" on her chest as a public punishment for adultery, having given birth to her daughter Pearl while married to Roger Chillingworth.*
ap_lit · common_core_ela · aqa
**Quiz Question — *The Scarlet Letter* by Nathaniel Hawthorne** What does the scarlet letter "A" that Hester Prynne is required to wear on her clothing originally signify? - A) Adultery - B) Atonement - C) Abomination - D) Abandonment **Correct Answer: A) Adultery** *The Puritan community in Boston forces Hester to wear the scarlet "A" as a public symbol of shame for her act of adultery with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale.*
ap_lit · common_core · aqa
These quiz questions are part of Storgy's free teacher toolkit for The Scarlet Letter. For a full study guide with chapter summaries, characters, themes, and key quotes, visit the The Scarlet Letter study guide. To browse quiz questions for other works, return to the Quiz Questions hub.