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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. In "The Store", how long had the protagonist been out of work before he responded to the ad in the newspaper?

2. In "The Sunday Following Mother's Day", on what street was the family's apartment located?

3. In "The Store", how much does the protagonist make in a week working at the store?

4. What position does Lonney's father hold?

5. What is the name of the judge who sentences Samuel Sr.?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was the protagonist of "The Store" initially hesitant to respond to the ad in the paper?

2. What does the protagonist of "The Store" do when Penny decides to sell the store?

3. Discuss Lydia's desire to get "lost in the city" in order to deal with her grief at her mother's death.

4. In "The Store", how does the protagonist begin his employment at the grocery store?

5. Explain how Santiago makes money.

6. In "Gospel", describe Vivian L. Slater's Sunday morning ritual.

7. Describe Lydia's lifestyle in "Lost in the City".

8. How does Mansfield's mistress talk to Lydia about her husband?

9. Why does Marvella keep her children at the school in Northwest?

10. Why does Santiago's grandmother ban him from her house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the background of each of the stories in the collection, the framework of the government and legal structure appears to hinder or support the characters. Selecting at least 2 or 3 of the stories in the collection, analyze Jones' commentary regarding the success or failure of the U.S. government to provide for the people of this community. Does Jones seem to think that the government has failed its people? Or, that it does a good job protecting their rights? Or, is his commentary perhaps more nuanced? Provide details from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Jones' commentary on the Social Security system in "Marie." How does his creation of the character Marie and his account of her troubles comment on the state of Social Security in the nation? Which details of Marie's story most strongly support Jones'scommentary? Why does he craft Marie the way he does? What is he saying about the way the country treats the elderly?

Essay Topic 3

Crime is a central theme in many of the stories in this collection. Explore Jones' commentary on the type(s), severity, and impact of crime on the African-American community in Washington, D.C. What is the central message regarding crime? How does Jones convey this message in the stories in the collection? Are the stories effective in carrying this message to the reader?

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