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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Little Old Letter," the speaker claims never to have been so lonely since when?
(a) Since she first moved out on her own.
(b) Since she found out she was adopted.
(c) Since she was born black.
(d) Since she was first left with a babysitter.

2. What caused Madam to abandon her barbecue stand?
(a) Being mixed up with a no-good man.
(b) She just got bored and tired with it.
(c) Bankruptcy.
(d) A fire from her huge barbecue pit.

3. What does the speaker hope for her child in the poem "Lament over Love"?
(a) The he or she will never love a man.
(b) That he or she will stop being so bratty all the time.
(c) That he or she will not grow up to be poor.
(d) That he or she will go to college.

4. What is the little boy dreaming of in "To Be Somebody"?
(a) Mike Tyson's boxing gloves.
(b) Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves.
(c) George Foreman's boxing gloves.
(d) Joe Louis's boxing gloves.

5. Which of the following is NOT listed as a job Madam has to do in "Madam and Her Madam"?
(a) Take care of the children.
(b) Cook.
(c) Do the laundry.
(d) Fetch the groceries.

6. What children's rhyme does the speaker mention in "Children's Rhymes"?
(a) The itsy-bitsy spider.
(b) Mary had a little lamb.
(c) One, two, buckle my shoe.
(d) Jack and Jill went up the hill.

7. 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 doctor.
(c) She is a teacher.
(d) She is a prostitute.

8. What does the speaker in "Porter" have to say all the time?
(a) "Thank you, ma'am."
(b) "Thank you, sir."
(c) "No, ma'am."
(d) "Yes, sir."

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

10. What question does the number runner ask Madam in "Madam and the Number Writer"?
(a) "But suppose / You goes to hell?"
(b) "Is that big frown / 'Cause your husband's around?"
(c) "What would you say / To a date today?
(d) "You sure look nice / Serving that rice."

11. What does the speaker say life is as fine as in "Life Is Fine"?
(a) Silk.
(b) A good meal.
(c) Wine.
(d) Gold.

12. Why is the boy lynched in "Southern Mammy Sings"?
(a) Because he stole something.
(b) Because he lied to his boss.
(c) Because he tried to run away.
(d) Because he said all people should be free.

13. Where does Madam dream of playing the numbers in "Madam and the Number Writer"?
(a) Out in public like white people.
(b) In heaven.
(c) In a very classy gambling club in Vegas.
(d) Back in Atlanta with her family.

14. What is the speaker tired of in "One-Way Ticket"?
(a) People who are afraid of him.
(b) All of these answers are correct.
(c) Jim Crow laws.
(d) Lynching.

15. What does the speaker pick up and take away in "One-Way Ticket"?
(a) His wallet.
(b) His Bible.
(c) His sins.
(d) His life.

Short Answer Questions

1. What in particular does the speaker need a dime for in "Down and Out"?

2. What does the speaker claim he, too, would do if he were a Gypsy?

3. What sound does the speaker claim a dream deferred makes in "Dream Boogie"?

4. What is Madam's full name?

5. Which color hands are NOT mentioned in "Daybreak in Alabama"?

(see the answer keys)

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