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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. Who whittles Ms. Johnson's churn top?

2. Why does Dee think the quilts will become rags in five years?

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

4. What looks like a mule tail to Ms. Johnson when she sees Dee's male companion?

5. When their school closes after the second grade, why don't the local Blacks protest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe John Thomas and his role in the story.

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

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

4. How do African Americans change from the days of Ms. Johnson's youth in the 1920s to the era of the 1960s in which the story "Everyday People" is set?

5. Which Johnson sister knows how to quilt and what does her ability illustrate about her character?

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

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

8. What is Ms. Johnson's relationship with her daughter Maggie like?

9. In Alice Walker's "Everyday Use," who is the antagonist of the story and what identifies that character as the antagonist?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Alice Walker's "Everyday Use," the character of Dee is romantically involved with Johnny T and later with Hakim-a-barber. Compare and contrast Dee's relationship with Johnny T and her relationship with Hakim-a-barber. Which one seems more harmonious and why? What does each relationship reveal about Dee at the stage in her life when she was involved with each man? Does Dee demonstrate any character growth from one relationship to the other? Cite examples from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the way the characters in "Everyday Use" think of white people and interact with them. Give at least three examples from the text to illustrate your conclusions.

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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