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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. Which character in "Everyday Use" doesn't read well due to poor eyesight?

2. What does the person who wants the butter churn dash tell Ms. Johnson she will do with it?

3. What scrap of Great Grandpa Ezra's clothing is in the quilts?

4. At the end of the story, what quilts does Ms. Johnson tell Dee to take back to the city with her?

5. What does Dee's companion do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the significance of Dee's always wanting to read to people in her youth?

3. Why are the hairstyles of Hakim-a-barber and Dee/Wangero described in such detail in the story while Maggie and Ms. Johnson's hairstyles are not described?

4. Describe the Johnson family home.

5. What happens when Dee tries to share her educational knowledge with her mother and sister?

6. How does Dee differ from her mother and sister?

7. Why does Dee include the house in every picture she takes with her camera if she dislikes the house?

8. What does Hakim-a-barber's car indicate about his character and Dee's?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the relationship between Maggie and Dee. Does Dee exhibit any sisterly feelings toward Maggie? Do either of the girls love the other one? Is Maggie's rivalry with Dee mutual or is it just one-sided? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the use of color in the story. Select at least three examples from the following list and discuss what they mean and how the author uses them to convey a theme or depict a character: Dee's white heels, Dee's yellow organdy dress, Dee's green suit, Dee's yellow and orange dress, Dee's gold earrings and bracelets, or Maggie's pink skirt and red blouse.

Essay Topic 3

Dee changes her name to Wangero in "Everyday Use." Discuss this name change citing examples from the text to support your arguments.

Part I: Discuss what Dee's name change indicates about her character.

Part II: Discuss what Dee's name change indicates about the era in which she lives.

Part III: Discuss what Dee's name change illustrates about her relationship with her family.

(see the answer keys)

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