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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. How did white people treat Boots before he began working for Junto?

2. What has Mrs. Hedges determined about her life since the fire?

3. How does Jones behave with Min after seeing the postman?

4. What does Boots discover upon coming home from The Pullman?

5. What leads Bub to tell Jones he's ready to make some extra money?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jones think that Min is standing between him and Lutie? Is this assumption reasonable? Explain.

2. How does Bub's initial refusal to participate in the mail scheme reflect his character and his mother's expectations?

3. In Chapter 13, Lutie is yet again propositioned. She's presented with the opportunity to receive free singing lessons if she'd just allow Mr. Crosse to see her a couple of times a week. Lutie refuses. What drives Lutie's determination not to exchange her body for personal advancement?

4. Unfortunately, Bub's demise can be directly tied to Lutie. Despite her many attempts to keep Bub safe, she is actually the bait used to trap him. What message is the author trying to reveal with this fact?

5. 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?

6. Does the author's decision to write Chapter 12 from Jones's point of view impacted the readers' impression of the character?

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

8. Though Min has left Jones at the end of Chapter 15, she still has thoughts of her inadequacy. What does her insinuating conversation with the pushcart man lead the reader to believe?

9. Describe Jones' inability to own any responsibility for the nature of his relationship with Lutie.

10. What likely drew Junto to Mrs. Hedges?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Street presents the reader with several conflicted characters--characters who exhibit both honorable and deplorable qualities. Consider the characters and their conflicting qualities. It may be helpful to outline your ideas. Once you've completed the outline, write a brief essay analyzing these characters. In addition, give your opinion on Petry's choice to employ such characters.

Essay Topic 2

The Street ends tragically. Not only is Lutie now a murderer, but she has abandoned her child. Considering the gravity of both of these acts, are you sympathetic to Lutie? Explain.

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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