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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 does Mrs. Hedges recall when Lutie leaves her apartment?

2. Which adjective best describes Boots' apartment building?

3. How did Mrs. Hedges meet Junto?

4. What impression is Lutie left with after she explains her predicament to Boots and leaves his apartment building?

5. How does Miss Rinner feel about her students and their families?

Short Essay Questions

1. It is both Lutie's presence and her absence that allows Jones to get a hold of Bub. Explain how this is possible.

2. Throughout the book, Mrs. Hedges has been painted as a negative personality by both Jones and Lutie. On the other hand, Min and Junto regard her highly. Which perception would the author like the reader to trust?

3. Explain why Junto and Boots feel that they can discuss Lutie's future and disregard her hopes without her consent.

4. At the close of Chapter 17, Lutie is desperate to escape the silence that seems to escape her. Throughout the book, Lutie seeks refuge from silence. Why does silence represent such a problem for Lutie?

5. Chapter 15 begins with a description of the sky. As Min looks up, she recalls that last year's skies were far more colorful. How does this contrast in the skies' colors reflect Min's life?

6. Chapter 18 ends tragically when Lutie repeatedly strikes Boots in the head with a candlestick. What does the author intend for Boots to represent? Why does Lutie feel compelled to strike him so many times?

7. Analyze Mrs. Hedges' state of mind.

8. In Chapter 17, Lutie is going to visit Bub at the Children's Shelter. The day is dark and grim. How has the author used the weather to supplement the telling of this story? How does the author's decision to use weather to supplement a story's telling impact the reader?

9. What likely drew Junto to Mrs. Hedges?

10. What does Boots' ultimate decision to obey Junto's request to leave Lutie alone say about his character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The novel's title - The Street - indicates a sense of generality. The book is not given the name of a specific street. Still, it's clear that The Street is not just ANY street. In an essay, explain the loaded nature of the book's title. Be sure to address the author's decision to assign such a vague name while addressing a specific setting. Use details from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Min is a fairly docile character. Even though her mind is hard at work, she rarely voices an opinion, even about her own treatment. She juxtaposes other women who are quite different in nature. Mrs. Hedges is overtly vocal about what she thinks--giving unwarranted advice at times. Lutie may not always condemn things aloud, but she does not stand for them and will respond with some sort of action. In your opinion, which of the three characters best handles life? Whose approach has brought the most freedom? In contrast, which character's life choices have resulted in a less than desirable life? Support your ideas with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Every writer has his or her own style. That style is marked by word choice, sentence structure, and elements like characterization and plot development. How would you describe Ann Petry's style? Be sure to use direct quotes from the text to illustrate your point. It may be helpful to compare and contrast Petry to other authors you've read.

(see the answer keys)

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