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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 paper, Walter Lee reads about:

2. What is in the letter they are expecting?

3. What does Alaiyo mean?

4. George doesn't care for:

5. Mama's real name is:

Short Essay Questions

1. Which members of the Younger family share each of the two bedrooms?

2. Why do you think Ruth fainted at the end of the scene?

3. Why did Mama decide to buy a new house for the family?

4. Why is Beneatha reluctant to let a visitor come over to the apartment on this morning?

5. What function does Joseph Asagai provide in this play about an African-American family?

6. What is the importance of Mama's spindly plant to her character?

7. How does Mama react to Beneatha asking whether Ruth "planned" her baby?

8. How does Beneatha surprise George before they go out on their date?

9. How does Beneatha differ from the other members of her family?

10. What does Walter Lee taunt George about as they wait for Beneatha?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe how Mama exercises her power over family members, especially the male characters Walter and Travis. How does she include or exclude them?

Essay Topic 2

Lorraine Hansberry was a notable African-American. She was also a woman. People tend to consider both perspectives as somehow more specialized than white, male perspectives. Do you agree? Write an essay addressing the question of whether this play is primarily an "African-American" play or a "Woman's" play.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining how this play relates to the American Dream. Is there one American Dream or are there many different ones? What is this play saying about the Americans and their dreams?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 551 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample