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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. Mr. Arnold threatens to:

2. What does Travis announce when he comes in?

3. What will Mama take to the new house?

4. What does Travis give to Mama?

5. How old is Travis?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Ruth tells Beneatha she went out with Walter Lee the night before. Why is that special?

3. How do we know that Beneatha tends to hold political positions that promote civil rights?

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

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

6. How do the onstage character to react to Mr. Lindner's offer to buy their new house? Describe their emotions.

7. Mama serves sweet potato pie to Mrs. Johnson. What is sweet potato pie?

8. How does Mama show understanding when Beneatha says that George is a fool?

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

10. At the end of the play, Mama tells Ruth that Walter Lee "finally come into his manhood today." What does it mean to come into your manhood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The location of the new house presents a new problem for the Youngers. Describe the challenge they will be facing in an all-white neighborhood.

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 uses many images in this play. Walter Lee is particularly visual when he speaks about his dreams. Examine the imagery he uses and how it support his character.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 563 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample