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 happens when Johnny-Boy dozes off?

2. What is Sue primarily afraid of that night?

3. Why did Reva come to see Sue?

4. What does Sue do after she shuts the door?

5. When is Johnny-Boy happiest?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the sheriff ask Sue and what is her reply? What does the sheriff do after she replies to him?

2. What does Sue do after Reva leaves?

3. What does Sue do when she wakes with someone in her house?

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

5. What does Johnny-Boy do when he arrives home?

6. What happens as Sue rises to her feet?

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

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

9. What does Sue do when she feels she wants to be alone?

10. How does Johnny-Boy respond to his mother's comments about his work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sue spends the next several hours huddled over her stove contemplating all that has happened. She knows that she will likely never see either of her sons again.

1. Would you consider this a foreshadow? Why or why not?

2. Do you think that Sue's feelings about her son are justified or is it imagination due to a mother's fear? Why or why not?

3. Do you think that most parents worry that something will happen to their child whenever a child leaves the home? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

When Sue tells one of the men that she is sure her son will eventually be killed, the man tells her that his life can be spared if he gives them the names of his comrades. Sue replies that she knows her son will not do this and so she is prepared for his death.

1. How did you respond to Sue's handling of this part of the situation?

2. Do you think this behavior on Sue's part is realistic in the real world? Why or why not?

3. If your child's life was at stake what would you do in Sue's position?

Essay Topic 3

As we have suspected from nearly the beginning of the story, Johnny-Boy is killed. The death of Sue, on the other hand, comes as a bit of a surprise.

1. Were you surprised when Sue was killed? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Sue's death was foreshadowed in the story? Why or why not? Use examples from the story to support your answer.

3. Do you think the death of Sue and her son could have happened in the present time? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample