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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Bessie gave which of the following a "comeuppance" over the ordeal?

2. Where did Julia go to school?

3. It was common for Bessie to shoo which group away from their street?

4. Which one of the following was a treat the sisters would make for the neighborhood children?

5. Sadie touts the importance of all but which of the following:?

Short Essay Questions

1. Examine the incident with the cottage, Bessie, and the judge.

2. As one might expect, Bessie got the last word in the book. What was Bessie's final insight?

3. What does Bessie say about the extra effort that must be put forth by Negroes?

4. How did Nanny's death change Sadie's role in the family? What was the family's reaction to the change?

5. Discuss the Delanys' involvement with the up and coming jazz scene in Harlem.

6. Sadie relays the story of one of her first experiences in New York regarding strangers. What was the experience? What did Sadie learn?

7. How did the Delanys react to the major changes that were going on around them in Harlem?

8. Discuss at least two of Bessie's major challenges at Columbia.

9. Sadie was tricky when it came to getting a job at a high school. What was Sadie's trick? Why was it necessary?

10. The sisters talk about their situation during World War II. Discuss at least one issue the sisters had at that time.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bessie jokes that the reason she and Sadie have lived so long was due to the fact that neither ever got married. Do you think there is any truth to that statement? Did Bessie mean what she said or was she joking? Why do you think neither sister ever married? How was that choice viewed by the rest of the family? Did either have a boyfriend? How might things have changed if one or both of the sisters had married? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Sadie talks about racism in the black community. Even though the sisters are from the same family, there was a difference in the way they were treated due to the shade of their skin tone. Do you think that the shade of one's skin matters as much today, or are all blacks treated equally? Do you think other races have the same opinions and/or experiences? How did the sisters handle the difference in treatment? How were the other children treated? Why do you think some were lighter than others?

Essay Topic 3

Even at their advanced ages Bessie and Sadie are completely independent. The sisters say that many people do not believe that they do not have a maid or helpers of any kind. Explain why people are so surprised at the sisters' level of independence. Do you think they could handle any situation that would arise at their home? Who helped with outside chores such as banking and grocery shopping? How were the neighbors involved in the sisters' lives?

(see the answer keys)

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