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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 animal does Ms. Johnson describe as "soothing and slow?"
(a) Horses.
(b) Dogs.
(c) Cats.
(d) Cows.

2. To whom does Ms. Johnson promise to give the quilts Grandma Dee pieced?
(a) Hakim-a-barber.
(b) Aunt Dicie.
(c) Wangero.
(d) Maggie.

3. Why do the Johnsons have dining benches instead of dining chairs?
(a) They don't like chairs.
(b) They can't afford chairs.
(c) Ms. Johnson finds chairs uncomfortable to sit on.
(d) Dee's father doesn't know how to make chairs.

4. What unpleasant truth does Ms. Johnson say Maggie realizes about herself?
(a) She is unemployable due to her lack of education.
(b) She will never be able to afford college.
(c) Hakim-a-barber will never prefer her to Dee.
(d) Good looks, money and intelligence have passed her by.

5. How does Dee respond when her mother asks her what happened to Dee?
(a) She says Dee's dead.
(b) She says Dee is wanted by the IRS.
(c) She says Dee is wanted by the police.
(d) She says Hakim-a-barber hates the name Dee.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why advantage does Ms. Johnson think her substitute gift has over the quilts Wangero wants?

2. Who does Maggie marry?

3. What does Ms. Johnson say could be done if the quilts do become rags in five years?

4. During the winter, what does Ms. Johnson wear during the day?

5. Which character in "Everyday Use" always walks with her eyes on the ground and her chin on her chest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which character in "Everyday Use" is a foil character and what helps identify that character as a foil character?

2. What does Ms. Johnson think Maggie believes is her "portion" in life?

3. Explain Dee's feelings about white people.

4. What is the significance of the title of "Everyday Use?"

5. What do Dee's light skin and her white heel symbolize?

6. What is revealed about Aunt Dicie/Big Dee in "Everyday Use" even though she doesn't appear onstage?

7. Explain the difference in what Dee wants to use her mother's quilts and the way Maggie wants to use the quilts.

8. Who is the protagonist of "Everyday Use" and what identifies that character as the protagonist?

9. What is the significance of the sunglasses Dee wears at the end of the story and the fact that they hide most of her face?

10. What does Maggie wear for Dee's visit and what does her outfit illustrate about her character?

(see the answer keys)

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