A Raisin in the Sun | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Act 1, Scene 1

1. Which members of the Younger family share each of the two bedrooms?

2. Why is it difficult for members of the Younger family to use the bathroom in the morning?

3. Walter Lee mentions that Mama is expecting something to arrive in the mail. What is she expecting?

4. Ruth scolds Walter Lee for keeping Travis up the night before. How did Walter Lee do that?

5. Why does Beneatha have to wait to use the bathroom when she wakes up?