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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Dee says "It's really a new day for us" at the end of the story, to whom is she referring?

2. What noises tell Ms. Johnson someone is standing outside the room in which she and Wangero are?

3. Who does Dee say she will never bring to visit her family's home?

4. After dinner, who goes into Ms. Johnson's room and riffles through the trunk at the foot of Ms. Johnson's bed?

5. At the beginning of "Everyday Use," what kind of tree does Ms. Johnson say she likes to sit outside and look up into while enjoying the breeze?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Ms. Johnson have more formal education?

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

3. What is the history behind Dee's birth name?

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

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

6. What is Maggie's relationship with Dee like?

7. Why does Dee change her name to Wangero in "Everyday Use?"

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

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

10. Ms. Johnson's dream involves appearing on television with Dee and having Dee thank her for her role in Dee's succee. Is there any evidence in "Everyday Use" that Dee appreciate her mother's role in her success?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maggie and Dee have very different ideas of what their family heritage is. Compare and contrast how each sister defines heritage and the role Grandma Dee's quilts and the family butter churn and other heirlooms play in their concepts of heritage. Cite examples from the text to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Alice Walker writes "Everyday Use" in the first person point of view. Discuss why you think the author selected the first person viewpoint. Also discuss whether or not you think first person is an effective viewpoint for this story and why or why not. Cite examples from the text to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Grandma Dee, Aunt Dicie or Big Dee, Grandpa Jarrell, Great-Grandpa Ezra and John Thomas are mentioned in "Everyday Use" but never appear on stage. Discuss these minor characters from the story and how the author uses them to illustrate her themes of family and community. Are there any other themes you think the author uses the characters to convey? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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