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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Delia mean when she says that she will stay in the house until she is "toted out foot foremost"? (2)
(a) Until she is arrested.
(b) Until she sells the house.
(c) Until she dies.
(d) Until the house burns down.

2. What simile does Walter use to describe how pretty Delia had been as a young woman?
(a) A two-dollar ribbon.
(b) A striped kitten.
(c) A speckled pup.
(d) A peacock.

3. What word does the narrator use to describe Delia's thoughts about her garden?
(a) Beautiful.
(b) Lovely.
(c) Bountiful.
(d) Serene.

4. The bullwhip is described by the narrator as long, round, limp, and what?
(a) Cold.
(b) Heavy.
(c) Black.
(d) Studded.

5. What does Sykes tell Delia he will do if she argues with him about taking in white people's laundry?
(a) Punch her.
(b) Strangle her.
(c) Shove her.
(d) Kick her.

6. Where does Sykes say that he will kick the clothes the next time she brings them home?
(a) Down the street.
(b) Outdoors.
(c) Into the lake.
(d) Under a passing carriage.

7. What object does Delia credit with paying for the house she and Sykes live in?
(a) Her horse.
(b) Her mother's diamond ring.
(c) Her sweat.
(d) Her blood.

8. What does the narrator say that Delia is able to "build...against her husband" (3) after she decides that he will reap what he sows?
(a) A wall of hatred.
(b) A code of silence.
(c) A spiritual earthworks.
(d) A decadent shroud.

9. What adjective does the narrator use to describe Delia's pose when she picks up the object after Sykes threatens to hit her?
(a) Foreboding.
(b) Defensive.
(c) Murderous.
(d) Menacing.

10. What title does the narrator ascribe to Delia's job of doing other people's laundry?
(a) Laundress.
(b) Maid.
(c) Wash-woman.
(d) Tailor.

11. What does Delia say Sykes had brought to their marriage?
(a) A longing after the flesh.
(b) Lies.
(c) Violence.
(d) Anger.

12. How long after their wedding had Sykes brutally beaten Delia?
(a) Two years.
(b) Three months.
(c) Two months.
(d) Three years.

13. When Sykes laughs at Delia for being scared of the bullwhip, what physical movement does he make?
(a) He stomps his foot.
(b) He slaps his leg.
(c) He crosses his legs.
(d) He wipes his face.

14. About what task does Sykes state his lack of care about whether Delia ever gets the task done or not?
(a) Sweeping.
(b) Cooking dinner.
(c) Whitewashing the house.
(d) Laundry.

15. On what night of the week does Delia stay up late in order to get a head start on her work?
(a) Saturday.
(b) Sunday.
(c) Monday.
(d) Wednesday.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Sykes calls Delia a hypocrite, what sin does he accuse her of committing to warrant this label?

2. When one of the men's wives had repelled Sykes's advances, she had told him that Delia worked so hard that she bet everything in the house tasted like sweat and what?

3. When Sykes leaves and Delia feels certain that he will not be home until a certain time, when is that time?

4. What gesture does Delia make toward the men on Joe's porch as she passes by?

5. On what day of the week does Delia collect and deliver clothes using her pony and buckboard?

(see the answer keys)

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