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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. Now that Lutie and Bub live alone, what is her biggest fear about leaving her son without supervision?
(a) She's afraid Bub will get caught up in gang life.
(b) She's afraid their relationship will fall apart.
(c) She's afraid that he will perform his chores without someone to stay on top of him.
(d) She's afraid of the traffic he'll encounter while running around outside.

2. What does Jones do when Lutie tries to unchain him in her dream?
(a) He places her in the chains.
(b) He tries to kiss her.
(c) He thanks her profusely.
(d) He eats her arm with his dog mouth.

3. How did Mrs. Hedges once embarrass Jones?
(a) By calling him unattractive.
(b) By announcing that he could talk to her through the window rather than coming inside her apartment.
(c) By telling the neighborhood a private detail about him.
(d) By pointing out the lowly nature of his job.

4. Why does the author choose to use animals to represent the neighborhood people in Lutie's nightmare?
(a) She uses this metaphor to emphasize Lutie's fear.
(b) She uses this metaphor to reflect the poor treatment of black people.
(c) She uses this metaphor to reflect the helplessness of the people.
(d) She uses this metaphor to show the barbaric nature of the people.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. On her way up the steps to her apartment, who does Lutie see?

2. How does Jones feel about the possibility of Min leaving him?

3. While washing her blouse and realizing Jones has been through her possessions, what is Lutie sure of?

4. What worries Lutie about Boots' driving?

5. Why does Lutie allow Boots to stalk her like mere prey when she's completely aware of his intentions?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. After leaving Jim, Lutie never reaches out to him again. How does this single fact reflect Lutie's strength?

3. After reading Chapter 5, it is clear what motivates Min. Using the knowledge you've gained about Min, compare her to Lutie. How do the women differ? What characteristics do they share?

4. Lutie slaps Bub when she sees him with a shoe shining kit. Why does a shoe shining kit inspire such rage in Lutie?

5. How did the white bartenders treat the patrons of Junto's? How did this treatment differ from the treatment they received in the workforce?

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

7. In Chapter 2, Lutie returns from Mrs. Chandler's and arrives in Harlem relieved to be away from white people. How does Lutie believe that white women and men look at her?

8. Boots treats Lutie as if she were prey. Does Lutie behaves as prey? Explain.

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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