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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 would Ty rather have than syrup?

2. Who says, "I got girlfriends, too"?

3. What is the color of the school that James and his Mama pass while in the big city?

4. As he makes the sign on James' jaw, Monsieur Bayonne uses so much pressure that he almost pushes James over onto who?

5. What city does James say is a hundred times bigger than where they are?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the sleeping arrangements in James' home.

2. What kind of things does Mama consider crybaby stuff according to James?

3. Why does James say he had to kill the redbird?

4. When the young man starts talking about questioning everything what does the preacher do?

5. What does James think about when he looks up at his Mama while they are waiting in the dentist's office?

6. What do Ty and James do with Monsieur Bayonne's two hounds?

7. What does Mama do after James gets the bird on the leg with his fork?

8. What kind of birds does James claim he has eaten?

9. Why does James' mother jump up off the bench inside the dentist's office?

10. When Mama flips the quarter over in her hand what does James think Mama is thinking about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a few interesting characters besides James and Mama in the story, The Sky is Gray. Choose one of these characters and name some of the characteristics of this person and why you think they were included in the story. How does this character influence James? How does this character influence Mama? How would the book be different without this character? How?

Essay Topic 2

The author, Ernest J. Gaines does a wonderful job in describing the outdoor surroundings and scenes in the story. What benefit do these descriptions give the reader of The Sky is Gray? How does it make you feel when you can picture the cold wintry scene in your head and know that Mama and James are having to walk in the cold, wet sleet? Why do you think it was important to give details of the dirt road, the river, and other objects in the story? What element does this add to the story? Does it connect the reader to the characters more? How?

Essay Topic 3

There are times in the story, The Sky is Gray where there is conflict between two or more of the characters. Name someone that James has a conflict with. Why does a conflict arise and how is it resolved? Name someone that Mama has a conflict with. Why does this conflict arise and how is it resolved? How do these two conflicts affect each character? Use specific examples in the book to support your views.

(see the answer keys)

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