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. Who says, "I'm not going," to Charlie and Olympia?

2. Where does Olympia meet Chauncey?

3. Which character does not have a job?

4. Who's mother plays bingo in a club in Harlem?

5. What does Chauncey want Charlie to do after graduation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Olympia worried about Charlie?

2. Why is Olympia so surprised about how pleasant Chauncey is during their phone conversation in Chapter 4?

3. How is Felicia different than Olympia?

4. How is Harry different than Olympia's previous husband, Chauncey?

5. What is special about the family's Thanksgiving day meal?

6. What is the purpose of a debutante ball?

7. Why is Veronica mad at Chauncey at the end of Chapter 2?

8. Why is it unusual for Olympia to invite Frieda and Margaret to the ball?

9. What does Chauncey threaten to do if Veronica refuses to attend the ball?

10. How does Chauncey feel about the invitation to The Arches?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The term "coming out" has multiple meanings in the story. Define what it means to come out. Explain two examples of characters who had some sort of "coming out" experience. Show their growth and explain how coming out made them develop as a character.

Essay Topic 2

The author tries to paint Olympia as a character who has a "perfect" life. Do you think Olympia has a perfect life? Explain your reasoning using details from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Debutante balls have changed over the years. Their purpose used to be for girls to find husbands, but now it is more of a fun event. Compare and contrast debutante balls of old and new. How have they changed? Do they serve a purpose anymore? Do you think they will continue to evolve?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 709 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample