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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. In Ms. Johnson's dreams, what does Dee pin on her dress on the television program?
(a) A ruby brooch.
(b) A rose.
(c) An orchid.
(d) A sterling silver cross.

2. What scrap of Great Grandpa Ezra's clothing is in the quilts?
(a) A piece of his old red flannel shirt.
(b) A piece of his christening gown.
(c) A piece of his wedding pants.
(d) A piece of his Civil War uniform.

3. Who claims to be able to remember Grandma Dee without the quilts?
(a) Wangero.
(b) John Thomas.
(c) Maggie.
(d) Hakim-a-barber.

4. When Ms. Johnson finds Wangero's name hard to pronounce, what does Wangero say?
(a) Ms. Johnson doesn't have to use it if she doesn't want to.
(b) Ms. Johnson can used the shortened version Wang.
(c) Ms. Johnson should practice saying it until she gets it right.
(d) Ms. Johnson could prounounce it if she were smarter.

5. What is Hakim-a-barber's religion?
(a) Jewish.
(b) Muslim.
(c) Wiccan.
(d) Christian.

Short Answer Questions

1. What keeps Ms. Johnson hot in zero weather?

2. What one thing does the person taking the Polaroids make sure is always included in each picture?

3. What does Ms. Johnson think Dee's companion does for a living because of his name?

4. Who in the Johnson family had the name Dee before Dee and the woman for whom Dee was named?

5. What does Dee want to match a green suit she makes from an old suit someone gives her mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to the Johnsons' previous home and how has this tragedy affected the family?

2. To whom is Dee referring when she says "It's really a new day for us" at the end of the story?

3. Describe Dee's relationship with Jimmy T and what it indicates about her.

4. How strong is Ms. Johnson physically and what might her physical strength indicate about her inner strength?

5. Are the Johnsons in "Everyday Use" typical or atypical for rural southern Black families living in the era in which the story is set?

6. Why doesn't Dee think Maggie deserves their mother's two hand-stitched quilts?

7. What does the way Dee dresses for her visit with her family indicate about her character?

8. Alice Walker never names the narrator of this story. The reader is told only that she is a member of the Johnson family. What might the author of "Everyday Use" have intended to convey about the character of Ms. Johnson by not naming her?

9. Why does Dee's sister Maggie feel insecure when Hakim-a-barber tries to shake her hand?

10. What references to racial prejudice are there in "Everyday Use?"

(see the answer keys)

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