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 does Sue hear after she returns to her ironing after Reva left?

2. What does the sheriff do when Sue doesn't answer all his questions?

3. What does Sue do to ease her fear?

4. Even after joining the Communists, in what did Sue find comfort?

5. What does Sue sense that night about her son, Johnny-Boy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the sheriff say to Sue as they come up to him?

2. What does Booker tell Sue as she struggles to her feet?

3. What happens when Booker comes into the clearing?

4. How does Sue feel about Booker helping her and what does she do?

5. How does Johnny-Boy feel about his mother pushing him?

6. What is Sue asked as she rises to her feet?

7. What kind of work does Sue start to do after looking out the window? What does she wish for as she works?

8. How does Sue feel about facing down the sheriff and what does she do?

9. How do the other men with the sheriff respond to what she says to him?

10. How does Sue feel and what does she tell Booker when he offers to help her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The sheriff then asks Sue where the meeting is supposed to be held. Sue refuses to tell them and so the sheriff once again threatens to kill Johnny-Boy. Despite the fact that she knows her son will almost certainly die, Sue is proud of her defiance, pride and strength.

1. Would you agree that what Sue did was an act of pride and strength? Why or why not?

2. How far would you be willing to go to protect people if you belonged to a group that was against the law? Explain what you would do and why you would chose it.

3. Do you think that Sue being willing to let them kill her son to protect his comrades is the sign of a bad mother? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

"Bright & Morning Star" is a short story that explores the complex themes of racism and the wide reaches of a mother's love for her children.

1. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

2. Compare the use of themes in this text with another story that you have read this year.

3. What other themes do you think might be used in this story? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

When Sue wakes up with the realization that someone is in her house she goes to the kitchen. The sheriff approaches and tells Sue that he is there to help her.

1. Given the era and setting of this story do you think it is likely the sheriff is telling the truth? Why or why not? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

2. Do you think that most officers of the law are honest, good people? Why or why not? Use examples from your life or knowledge to support your answer.

3. If you woke in the middle of the night and people were in your house, what would you do? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 926 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample