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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. What does Ruth forbid Travis to do?

2. What method does Beneatha suggest for getting rid of the cockroaches?

3. Where is the action of this play set?

4. George defines assimilationist Negroes as:

5. Where is the house that Mama bought?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Walter Lee get upset at Mama when she tells him about her plans for the insurance money?

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

4. Why is it difficult for members of the Younger family to use the bathroom in the morning?

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

6. Mama already has plans for the insurance money. What are they?

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

8. Why does Beneatha have to wait to use the bathroom when she wakes up?

9. What function does Joseph Asagai provide in this play about an African-American 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

At the end of the play, Mama tells Ruth that Walter Lee came into "his manhood." What is Mama saying about male gender roles? How does her attitude contrast with Walter Lee's thoughts about manhood?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

George calls Walter Lee "Prometheus." Expand his meaning with an essay that explains how Walter resembles this Greek god.

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