The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury – MCQs (25+ Questions)

1. In which year is the story "The Pedestrian" set?
   a) 2025
   b) 2050
   c) 2053
   d) 2100
2. What is the name of the protagonist in "The Pedestrian"?
   a) Leonard Mead
   b) Leonard Meade
   c) Leon Mead
   d) Leo Mead
3. On which evening does the story's main incident occur?
   a) A cold winter evening
   b) A misty November evening
   c) A foggy December evening
   d) A frosty October evening
4. At what time does Leonard Mead leave his house for a walk?
   a) 6:00 PM
   b) 7:00 PM
   c) 8:00 PM
   d) 9:00 PM
5. What has Leonard Mead changed to wearing for his evening walks?
   a) Hard-heeled shoes
   b) Sneakers
   c) Boots
   d) Sandals
6. Why did Leonard Mead change his footwear?
   a) To stay warm
   b) To avoid being heard by dogs
   c) To improve his walking speed
   d) To prevent slipping
7. According to the story, how long has Leonard Mead been taking regular evening walks?
   a) Five years
   b) Seven years
   c) Ten years
   d) Fifteen years
8. How many people has Leonard Mead met during his ten years of walking?
   a) A few people
   b) Many people
   c) Not a single person
   d) Only one person
9. What is the population of the city in the story?
   a) Around 1 million
   b) Around 2 million
   c) Around 3 million
   d) Around 5 million
10. How many police cars are there in the city?
    a) One
    b) Two
    c) Three
    d) Multiple
11. Why is there only one police car in the city?
    a) Budget constraints
    b) Lack of officers
    c) The crime rate has decreased significantly
    d) New technology makes more unnecessary
12. What does Leonard Mead compare the houses he passes to?
    a) Castles
    b) Graves or tombs
    c) Museums
    d) Temples
13. What are the people in their homes doing?
    a) Reading books
    b) Watching television on viewing screens
    c) Listening to music
    d) Playing games
14. What does Leonard Mead imagine at the cloverleaf intersection during the day?
    a) A river flowing
    b) A thunderous surge of cars like insects
    c) People walking
    d) Birds flying
15. What kind of light does the police car shine on Leonard Mead?
    a) A soft yellow light
    b) A dim blue light
    c) A fierce white cone of light
    d) A red flashing light
16. To what does Leonard Mead compare himself when hit by the police car's light?
    a) A trapped animal
    b) A night moth
    c) A frozen statue
    d) A caught criminal
17. What is Leonard Mead's profession, according to his statement?
    a) Doctor
    b) Teacher
    c) Writer
    d) Engineer
18. How does the police car respond to Mead's claim of being a writer?
    a) It approves of the profession
    b) It records "No profession"
    c) It asks for more information
    d) It congratulates him
19. When the police car interrogates Mead about walking, what reason does he give?
    a) For exercise
    b) For air and to see
    c) To get home
    d) To clear his mind
20. What is Leonard Mead's response when the police car suggests he could get air in his home?
    a) He agrees
    b) He argues back
    c) He remains silent and meek
    d) He walks faster
21. Where is Leonard Mead being taken by the police car?
    a) Police station
    b) Hospital
    c) Psychiatric Center for Research on Regressive Tendencies
    d) Prison
22. What is Leonard Mead accused of being?
    a) Criminal
    b) Regressive
    c) Dangerous
    d) Sick
23. What does the police car reveal about who is inside the vehicle?
    a) A human police officer
    b) Multiple officers
    c) No one—it is completely automated
    d) A computer operator
24. What is distinctive about Leonard Mead's house compared to others?
    a) It is larger than others
    b) It is brightly lit with lights on
    c) It is painted a different color
    d) It is located on a hill
25. What is the central theme of "The Pedestrian"?
    a) Crime and punishment
    b) Individuality versus conformity and the dehumanizing effects of technology
    c) Love and relationships
    d) Education and learning
26. What does the story suggest about society's view of walking and fresh air?
    a) They are encouraged
    b) They are valued activities
    c) They are viewed as suspicious and regressive behaviors
    d) They are considered normal
27. What is the tone of the story's ending?
    a) Hopeful and optimistic
    b) Sad and regretful
    c) Dark and ominous
    d) Happy and celebratory

Answer Key

1. c) 2053

2. a) Leonard Mead

3. b) A misty November evening

4. c) 8:00 PM

5. b) Sneakers

6. b) To avoid being heard by dogs

7. c) Ten years

8. c) Not a single person

9. c) Around 3 million

10. a) One

11. c) The crime rate has decreased significantly

12. b) Graves or tombs

13. b) Watching television on viewing screens

14. b) A thunderous surge of cars like insects

15. c) A fierce white cone of light

16. b) A night moth

17. c) Writer

18. b) It records "No profession"

19. b) For air and to see

20. c) He remains silent and meek

21. c) Psychiatric Center for Research on Regressive Tendencies

22. b) Regressive

23. c) No one—it is completely automated

24. b) It is brightly lit with lights on

25. b) Individuality versus conformity and the dehumanizing effects of technology

26. c) They are viewed as suspicious and regressive behaviors

27. c) Dark and ominous