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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the ethnicity of the person Oceola receives piano lessons from?
(a) French.
(b) English.
(c) Spanish.
(d) German.

2. Where does Mrs. Ellsworth live?
(a) Atlanta.
(b) New York City.
(c) Boston.
(d) Detroit.

3. What complaint does Mrs. Ellsworth have about a soprano?
(a) Arrogance.
(b) Rudeness.
(c) Stench of garlic and sallow complexion.
(d) Pride and smugness.

4. Where did the person who recommends Oceola meet her?
(a) Atlanta.
(b) Harlem.
(c) Boston.
(d) Paris.

5. What point of view is the first section of "The Blues I'm Playing" written in?
(a) Third person.
(b) Varies.
(c) First person.
(d) Second person.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which two characters are introduced first?

2. What time period does "The Blues I'm Playing" take place in?

3. What is Mrs. Ellsworth's marital status?

4. What is the purpose of the service(s) that Mrs. Ellsworth insists on providing for Oceola?

5. What book does Mrs. Ellsworth get?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the setting of "The Blues I'm Playing."

2. How does Oceola feel about art?

3. How does Mrs. Ellsworth think she will remedy the situation with the boarder?

4. What does Mrs. Ellsworth want Oceola to do in the beginning of the story?

5. Describe Pete Williams.

6. How does Oceola react to Mrs. Ellsworth's generosity?

7. What news does Oceola have for Mrs. Ellsworth when she comes back from a trip?

8. How did Oceola manage to attend college?

9. How does Mrs. Ellsworth react to Oceola's news at the end of Section 4 of the story?

10. Why does Oceola respond to Mrs. Ellsworth's suggestion about Harlem the way that she does?

(see the answer keys)

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