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

2. How did Junto react to Mrs. Hedges eating chicken out of a trashcan?

3. How does Min describe her lonely bed?

4. Why does Jones find so much comfort in the dark basement of the apartment building?

5. How did Mrs. Hedges meet Junto?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

3. Boots hesitates before conceding to Junto's request that Lutie be left alone. What might that slight hesitation suggest?

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

5. 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?

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

7. 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?

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

9. In Chapter 16, Bub is taken into custody by the post-office investigators. How does this fact impact Lutie's feelings about The Street?

10. Describe the significance of the money Lutie steals from Boots in Chapter 18.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Bub is deathly afraid of the dark. It seems that darkness is always accompanied by Lutie's absence. How do you think Lutie has impacted Bub's fears? What conclusions can you draw about what Bub's life will be like now that Lutie has fled?

Essay Topic 3

Lutie becomes hysterical when she finds that her son is in possession of a shoe shining kit. She rationalizes her behavior by claiming that Bub's decision to shine shoes will ultimately lead him down a path of mediocrity. Why is Lutie unable to see the practical convenience of her son helping out with the household expenses? How does this failure to be practical reflect the effects of racism on Lutie's outlook? Do you agree with Lutie's decision not to allow her son to help her care for the family? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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