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. What complaint does Mrs. Ellsworth have about a soprano?

2. Where does Oceola live after the incident that occurred after the second move since a death in the family?

3. Where does Mrs. Ellsworth live?

4. Who boarded with Oceola when she lived on her own?

5. How does Mrs. Ellsworth support artists who create beauty?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information causes Mrs. Ellsworth to become disgruntled after her investigation into Oceola's boarder?

2. How does Mrs. Ellsworth try to get rid of Oceola's penchant for jazz music?

3. What does Oceola think of the artists she meets in Europe?

4. Describe Mrs. Ellsworth.

5. What does Oceola find in Paris?

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

7. Why does Mrs. Ellsworth think Oceola is a victim?

8. How has Oceola chosen to view art after her experiences with Mrs. Ellsworth?

9. What does Mrs. Ellsworth enjoy spending her resources on?

10. What did Oceola's parents do for a living?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Usually, a clear transformation can be seen in the characters of piece of a literature, but it is not so apparent in "The Blues I'm Playing." Have Oceola and Mrs. Ellsworth transformed in any way? How has Mrs. Ellsworth changed, and how has she stayed the same? How has Oceola changed, and how has she stayed the same?

Essay Topic 2

Art, specifically music, is the center of this short story. All the characters are connected to art in some form, but Mrs. Ellsworth and Oceola both devote their lives to it. What does Mrs. Ellsworth think of art? What kind of belief does she wish to instill in Oceola? How does Oceola view art? What are the differences in the characters' perceptions of art? Make sure you answer each part of the question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Oceola is another main character of "The Blues I'm Playing." Her complex character has different traits in comparison to Mrs. Ellsworth, though they share a passion for music. What is Oceola's personal background? How does her background affect her view on art? How has her background formed the person she is now? Make sure you answer each question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 598 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample