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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What proposition does Mrs. Hedges offer Lutie that causes Lutie to think, "If you live on this damn street you're supposed to want to earn a little extra money sleeping around nights"?
(a) Mrs. Hedges tells Lutie that she knows of a white man who "would like her services".
(b) Mrs. Hedges offers to keep Bub for Lutie until Lutie gets off of work.
(c) Mrs. Hedges tells Lutie that she knows of a rich family looking for a maid's help.
(d) Mrs. Hedges offers to allow Bub to shine shoes in her apartment.

2. After waking up from her nightmare about Jones and the neighborhood, how does Lutie feel?
(a) She feels trapped.
(b) She feels a new resolve to move Bub into a better neighborhood.
(c) She feels determined to go through with the end of her marriage.
(d) She feels defeated.

3. What does Lutie do when Boots tries to put his arm around her waist as he prepares to leave her?
(a) Smiles and tells him goodnight.
(b) Allows him to pull her close.
(c) Throws her head back and laughs.
(d) Pushes him away violently.

4. Which behaviors describe what Jones does in Lutie's apartment?
(a) He washes her dishes, makes her bed, and mops her floor.
(b) He fixes the light fixtures in her bathroom and checks the heating system.
(c) He watches television and helps himself to a beer.
(d) He smells her lipstick, crushes her blouse in his hands, and imagines drying her with towel.

5. How does Lutie feel about Bub shining shoes?
(a) She thinks the job reflects Bub's low self esteem.
(b) She believes if he shines shoes at this age, he'll be performing other low paying menial jobs when he's a grown man.
(c) She thinks it's a healthy way to teach him some responsibility.
(d) She thinks it's inappropriate for a young boy to have a job while in school.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of advice does Mrs. Hedges offer Min?

2. After returning home from her drive with Boots, what does Lutie discover in her closet?

3. How does Lutie feel about Mrs. Chandler?

4. Which character is the first to be introduced?

5. What allows Jones to conclude that Min will return home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Chapter 5 introduces the relationship between Mrs. Hedges and Min. How would you describe this relationship? Why does Min finds refuge in Mrs. Hedges?

2. Chapter 1 outlines the dynamics of Lutie's household. Lutie's father's girlfriend, Lil, has Bub lighting her cigarettes and tasting her gin. How does Lil's behavior reflect and amplify Lutie's fears for her son?

3. How does Min's relationship with Jones reflect the relationships in her past?

4. Lutie first begins to measure people and their intentions in Chapter 1. How do you rate Lutie's ability to read people? Do you think she is accurate in her summations?

5. Describe how Jones and Lutie view one another.

6. Who does Lutie hold responsible for the end of her marriage?

7. How does chapter 3 illustrate the racism and sexism faced by Lutie? Provide at least 1 example of each.

8. How does the stolen purse incident reflect the theme of the book?

9. Lutie leaves the butcher shop and is in light spirits. As she walks home, she notices that the women are burdened by marketing bags and on their way home to take care of their families after a long day of work. She also notes that the men lounge around watching the women. How does Lutie feels about this distinction?

10. In Lutie's dream, she is the one being asked to "unloose" the neighborhood people. Why has Lutie has been given this charge in the dream?

(see the answer keys)

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