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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 was the result of Charlie getting kicked out of school?

2. Which character is the most positive about school integration?

3. Where is Betsey's hiding place located?

4. Who is Jane?

5. Who does Betsey want to apologize to in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the children react to Jane's absence?

2. How does Betsey feel about school integration?

3. In what way is Chapter 13 a transition chapter?

4. What kind of connection does Betsey have with Regina in Chapter 8?

5. What does Mrs. Maureen say about segregation, and what do her beliefs represent?

6. How does Jane react to Greer's request to take the children to a demonstration?

7. How does Carrie incite change in the Brown family?

8. Describe the circumstances surrounding Betsey's first kiss.

9. In chapter 12, what revelation does Vida have about Carrie?

10. What is Betsey's life goal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The major source of conflict in the Brown household revolves around change versus traditionalism. Why is this a source of conflict? What characters are involved in the conflict? How does this conflict force the story to move forward?

Essay Topic 2

The Brown family home is extremely chaotic. How is this represented in the author's work? Analyze the plot of the story as well as Shange's diction, syntax, tone, and point of view and the ways in which they apply to the overall theme of chaos. What effect does chaos have on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of each housekeeper (Bernice, Regina, and Carrie) on the Brown family? How do they change the family? Is she a positive or negative influence on the family? How does the reader know this?

(see the answer keys)

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