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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. What else did Monsieur Bayonne do besides making a sign over James' jaw?

2. What was James doing beside the trap while Mama was over by the fence?

3. What is all cracked in the city where James and Mama are?

4. Why doesn't James want anyone to tell Mama about his hurting?

5. Why did James tell Ty he was hurting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the preacher ask the young man to stand up?

2. When the preacher asks the young man about his parents, what does the young man tell the preacher?

3. What type of people are waiting in the dentist's office?

4. What is the opening line of Chapter 7, who says it, and why?

5. What does James think about when he is so cold he feels like he's going to die?

6. What does Mama and Auntie decide to do with the left over fifty cents Mama will have?

7. What happens when James and Mama get back to the dentist's office?

8. What does James hear as he is walking to the cafe?

9. In Chapter 13, what does James think about to keep from getting cold?

10. Why does James think the little old lady must be crazy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mama tells James that she doesn't want him to be a crybaby. There are different parts of the story that James is afraid to show his emotions because of Mama. What are some of these instances in the story? Why do you think James was so concerned on making sure his emotions didn't show? Why did Mama raise James this way? Is Ty afraid to show his emotions? Why or why not? Do you think Mama is a terrible mother because she is so stern with her children? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The author, Ernest J. Gaines does a wonderful job in describing the outdoor surroundings and scenes in the story. What benefit do these descriptions give the reader of The Sky is Gray? How does it make you feel when you can picture the cold wintry scene in your head and know that Mama and James are having to walk in the cold, wet sleet? Why do you think it was important to give details of the dirt road, the river, and other objects in the story? What element does this add to the story? Does it connect the reader to the characters more? How?

Essay Topic 3

Who is your favorite character in the story, The Sky is Gray? Why did this character appeal to you? What characteristics did you like about this character? Were there any characteristics that you didn't like about this person? What does this character add to the story? How would things be different if this character did not exist in the story? Would anything remain the same in the story if the character didn't exist? If so, how?

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