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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the narrator states that Delia lies awake thinking about debris cluttering a certain kind of trail, what adjective is used to describe that trail?
(a) Philosophical.
(b) Familial.
(c) Matrimonial.
(d) Lonely.

2. When Sykes tells Delia that he has promised "some other men" (2) that he will not allow Delia to do laundry for white people, whose name is the only one he mentions?
(a) Dave.
(b) Joe.
(c) Gawd.
(d) Elijah.

3. For what purpose does the narrator say Delia had built and improved upon her little home?
(a) For her children.
(b) For her old age.
(c) For her security.
(d) For her husband's happiness.

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

5. When Sykes calls Delia a hypocrite, what sin does he accuse her of committing to warrant this label?
(a) Stealing.
(b) Working on the Sabbath.
(c) Lying.
(d) Being proud.

6. What adjective does Sykes use to describe Delia just before he steps into the room where she is sorting laundry?
(a) Solicitous.
(b) Aggravating.
(c) Annoying.
(d) Dissembling.

7. The narrator describes Delia as giving "a little scream of" (2) what when Sykes steps upon her laundry?
(a) Rage.
(b) Surprise.
(c) Outrage.
(d) Dismay.

8. In addition to the adjective black, what other adjective does Delia use to describe Bertha the first time she brings her up to Sykes?
(a) Snaggle-toothed.
(b) Scandalous.
(c) Ugly.
(d) Sinful.

9. When Joe Lindsay says that there ought to be a law about Sykes's behavior, he says that Sykes "ain't fit tuh carry guts to a" (3) what?
(a) A hyena.
(b) A bear.
(c) A seagull.
(d) A vulture.

10. What does Delia tell Sykes will one day kill her?
(a) Sykes' foolishness.
(b) The heat of midsummer.
(c) Sykes' physical abuse.
(d) The physical labor of her job.

11. What does Walter say he sees Sykes do every time he passes a woman?
(a) Imagine.
(b) Laugh.
(c) Stare.
(d) Grin.

12. What instruction does Sykes insist that he has given Delia over and over again without her capitulation?
(a) To have his dinner ready when he gets home from work.
(b) To keep white people's clothes out of the house.
(c) To keep the stove clean.
(d) To answer him when he asks her a question.

13. What gesture does Delia make toward the men on Joe's porch as she passes by?
(a) She turns away.
(b) She nods.
(c) She waves.
(d) She makes the sign of the evil eye.

14. When Delia goes into the yard to retrieve the washtub, what action does Sykes take inside the house?
(a) He throws the sorted laundry into the backyard.
(b) He pours coffee over her sorted laundry.
(c) He kicks her sorted laundry back into one pile.
(d) He hides her sorted laundry in the closet.

15. Elijah says that Sykes has beaten Delia enough to kill how many women?
(a) 20.
(b) 5.
(c) 3.
(d) 10.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Delia place the washtub when she returns from the yard with it in her hands?

2. When Sykes laughs at Delia for being scared of the bullwhip, what physical movement does he make?

3. The narrator describes Sykes's choice of the laundry pile on which to step using which adjective?

4. When the scene shifts to the porch at the corner store for the first time, what month is it?

5. On the afternoon when Sykes and Bertha come to the store, what does the narrator say had even "collapsed under the heat"? (3)

(see the answer keys)

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