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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 has Ruth bought for the new house?

2. Why does Mama want to put $3000 put in the bank?

3. What does Mr. Lindner bring the Youngers?

4. According to Joseph Asagai, what is exceptional in his village?

5. What is the last thing Mama takes from the apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Walter Lee's body language as he approaches Karl Lindner to accept the man's offer.

2. Why is Beneatha upset at Walter Lee in this scene?

3. Is Mrs. Johnson sincere when she says, "I'm soooo happy for y'all"? Explain.

4. How does Walter Lee find out that Mama's money is gone?

5. Ruth wants to take a hot bath at the new house. Explain why that is a luxury for her.

6. What does Beneatha want to do at the end of the play?

7. Beneatha sarcastically asks George "Why read books---why go to school?" Give her answer.

8. Before this scene we hadn't realized the scope of Walter Lee's dreams. What are they?

9. Why does Walter Lee ask Karl Lindner to come back to the apartment?

10. A new character, Mr. Karl Lindner, appears at the door. How is he greeted by the adult Youngers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research and write a report about one of the following subjects. Be sure to include the subject's relationship to the play, A Raisin in the Sun.

a) Black Power

b) Black Pride

c) Black Arts Movement

d) Black Nationalism

e) "Black is Beautiful" movement

Essay Topic 2

Identify and describe the following dramatic structures in the play: Exposition, Rising Action, Turning Points, Climax, and Falling Action. Use dialogue and text examples to support your descriptions.

Essay Topic 3

Lorraine Hansberry includes extensive stage directions in her play. Explain how her stage directions add or detract from the play for the reader. Include specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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