View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which character is the most afraid of school integration?

2. Why does Betsey create the hopscotch board?

3. Where is Miss. Maureen from?

4. After Eugene leaves in Chapter 4, how does Betsey feel?

5. What does Betsey search the sky for in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why and how has Jane sheltered her children?

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

3. How do Jane and her family members view her absence?

4. How does Veejay make Betsey feel bad about getting rid of Bernice?

5. Describe Betsey's mother, Jane.

6. What does Jane fear will happen at the demonstration?

7. How does Jane's talk differ from Carrie's talk?

8. How does Betsey realize she was missed in Chapter 9?

9. Why does Betsey feel that her runaway name should be Cora Sue Betsey Anne Calhoun Brown? Where does she get this name?

10. How is it demonstrated that Betsey's childhood is falling away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

What types of prejudice occur in the book Betsey Brown? How does Betsey begin as unaware and become aware of these issues? How do both types of prejudice relate to Betsey and her family and friends? What does Betsey learn as a result?

Essay Topic 3

What finally makes Betsey feel as if she belongs in her family? Who makes her feel special? How does her family change to accommodate her? What final thoughts does she have as the story closes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 727 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample