Think you’ve got your head wrapped around I Stand Here Ironing? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. What is the narrator doing while ironing?
Humming a tune
Shucking oysters
Talking on the phone
Doing aerobics (careful—that iron is hot)
Q. What happened when Emily was eight months old?
She stopped breastfeeding
She was left in the care of a neighbor
She fell down the stairs
She swallowed a penny
Q. What happened to Emily’s father?
He left unexpectedly because he couldn’t bear the family’s poverty
He was put in jail for tax evasion
He died while planking
He swallowed a fly (I don’t know why)
Q. What did a neighbor tell the narrator to do with regard to Emily?
Spank her once in a while
Smile at her more often
Feed her more often
Teach her to iron
Q. Emily displays a talent for what?
Juggling
Baking delicate desserts
Comedy and acting
Math
Crafting