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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 alcohol has Dudley brought with him?

2. What is Mattie carrying when she comes in?

3. What does Grandma Wilhemina put in her coffee?

4. What is the name of John's wife?

5. What does John place on the kitchen counter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the author use the theme of black male figures in the story?

2. What inanimate element does the author use almost like another character throughout the play?

3. What can John and Dudley tell about Ann after speaking with her for a short while?

4. What does Dudley tell the family about Mattie's health and how does Mattie respond?

5. What is the first mention that indicates that Mattie is ill?

6. What does John ask Dudley for when he abruptly changes the subject?

7. What does Mattie ask Ann to do while she and Grandma go out shopping?

8. What does Mattie consider to be a big problem in her family?

9. What is Jeff's explanation for his leaving the Air Force and how does John react?

10. How do Dudley and John differ on engaging in the trials of black people in America?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author gives stage direction for the music of a bass to punctuate different events during the play. The music then takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Dudley. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Jeff, Ann and Dudley. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 894 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample