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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. George doesn't care for:

2. What lie does Walter Lee tell George?

3. Mama tells Travis that she has:

4. Which character starts the play on stage?

5. How long did Mama and Big Walter plan on living in their apartment when they moved in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Walter Lee do when he sees Beneatha in her Nigerian costume?

2. Why do you think Ruth fainted at the end of the scene?

3. What is Ruth referring to when she talks to George about "them bombs and things they keep setting off?"

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

5. Why is Beneatha reluctant to let a visitor come over to the apartment on this morning?

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

7. Mama already has plans for the insurance money. What are they?

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

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

10. What is the importance of Mama's spindly plant to her character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the symbolism of the props in this play, including Mama's plant, the poison being spread to kill the cockroaches, and the Nigerian clothing that Joseph Asagai brings.

Essay Topic 2

The author introduces many references in this play, from Hughes to Henry David Thoreau to Greek mythology and African songs. What do these references add to the play? How do they expand the universality of the themes?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining how this play relates to the American Dream. Is there one American Dream or are there many different ones? What is this play saying about the Americans and their dreams?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 561 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample