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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Ruby Brown do for a living by the time the poem of her same name concludes?
(a) She quits her job but doesn't have a new one yet.
(b) She is a prostitute.
(c) She is a teacher.
(d) She is a doctor.

2. What does the speaker wish the rent were in "Little Lyric (Of Great Importance)"?
(a) Cheaper.
(b) On time, for once.
(c) Tax deductible.
(d) Heaven sent.

3. How much does the character's buddy earn a week in "Buddy"?
(a) Twenty a week.
(b) Twelve a week.
(c) Fifteen a week.
(d) Ten a week.

4. What does the speaker in "Life Is Fine" decide he was born for?
(a) "Cryin'"
(b) "Livin'"
(c) "Singin'"
(d) "Dyin'"

5. What does the speaker wonder about his own death in "Cross"?
(a) Who will mourn for him.
(b) Who will get his inheritance.
(c) If anyone will even notice.
(d) Where he will die.

6. Where is Miss Yardman in "Southern Mammy Sings"?
(a) In her garden.
(b) At mass.
(c) In her yard.
(d) At a funeral.

7. Where are people meeting to plan the parade in "Parade"?
(a) The Elks Club Lodge.
(b) The mall; they have meeting rooms there.
(c) At the minister's house.
(d) Church.

8. How does the speaker first attempt suicide in "Life Is Fine"?
(a) By jumping in front of a train.
(b) By jumping into a river.
(c) By jumping off of a building.
(d) By jumping off of a cliff.

9. What does the little boy use as a toy in "Madam and the Charity Child"?
(a) Dolls.
(b) The trash can.
(c) A switch-blade.
(d) Rocks.

10. What does the speaker claim "Madam" stands for in "Madam's Past History"?
(a) Mother.
(b) Professor.
(c) Business.
(d) Doctor.

11. What is the little girl dreaming of in "To Be Somebody"?
(a) A baby grand piano.
(b) A dollhouse.
(c) A prince in a castle.
(d) A castle on a cloud.

12. Where is Miss Michaelmas in "Southern Mammy Sings"?
(a) In her garden.
(b) At mass.
(c) In her yard.
(d) At a funeral.

13. What two things does Kid Sleep say he doesn't care about/doesn't want to do in "Kid Sleepy"?
(a) Milk the cow and gather vegetables for dinner.
(b) Help in the kitchen and help in the garden.
(c) Clean up his room and put away his toys.
(d) Run around and work downtown.

14. What place is the speaker trying to avoid in "One-Way Ticket"?
(a) His girlfriend's house.
(b) The South.
(c) The police station.
(d) His mother's house.

15. What does the speaker in "Little Old Letter" claim pen and paper have the power to do?
(a) Seal a deal.
(b) Guarantee your rights.
(c) Burn up and turn meaningless.
(d) Take a person's life.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Madam have a large phone bill in "Madam and the Phone Bill"?

2. What does the speaker say life is as fine as in "Life Is Fine"?

3. With what triumphant phrase does the speaker conclude "Still Here"?

4. What does the speaker in "Down and Out" want from her lover?

5. What question does the Klan ask the speaker in "Ku Klux"?

(see the answer keys)

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