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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 seagull.
(b) A vulture.
(c) A bear.
(d) A hyena.

2. When Delia picks up an object and strikes a pose after being threatened by Sykes, what does the narrator state as the action that Sykes refrains from performing, though he usually would perform it right away in such a situation?
(a) Yelling at Delia.
(b) Leaving the house.
(c) Striking Delia.
(d) Calling the magistrate.

3. Where does Sykes say he has been when Delia asks him where he has been with her horse and buckboard?
(a) With Bertha.
(b) He does not say.
(c) At the corner store.
(d) At church.

4. Who says he would have married Delia himself if Sykes had not beaten him to it?
(a) Elijah.
(b) Jim.
(c) Walter.
(d) Joe.

5. What simile does Hurston use to characterize Delia's throwing off of her most habitual character trait?
(a) Like a lace collar.
(b) Like an old snakeskin.
(c) Like a swatch of chiffon.
(d) Like a blown scarf.

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

7. What day of the week is considered the Sabbath within traditional Christianity?
(a) Saturday.
(b) Thursday.
(c) Friday.
(d) Sunday.

8. What does Delia say she had brought to her marriage to Sykes?
(a) Optimism.
(b) Love.
(c) Faith.
(d) Commitment.

9. What does Delia call Sykes's action of scaring her with the bullwhip?
(a) An injustice.
(b) A joke.
(c) A sin.
(d) A travesty.

10. When the scene shifts to the porch at the corner store for the first time, what month is it?
(a) February.
(b) April.
(c) July.
(d) December.

11. 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) Familial.
(b) Lonely.
(c) Philosophical.
(d) Matrimonial.

12. What "habitual" character trait of Delia's seems "to slip from her shoulders" (1) after Sykes threatens her with physical violence?
(a) Humility.
(b) Meekness.
(c) Ease.
(d) Honesty.

13. 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 spiritual earthworks.
(c) A decadent shroud.
(d) A code of silence.

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

15. When Delia lies in bed mourning her lost love and friendship with her husband, she says it "is too late for everything" (2) except what?
(a) Her children.
(b) A change of scenery.
(c) Her little home.
(d) Her self-respect.

Short Answer Questions

1. Elijah says that Sykes has beaten Delia enough to kill how many women?

2. What adjective does the narrator use to describe Delia's pose when she picks up the object after Sykes threatens to hit her?

3. Jim says that Sykes has always been crazy about what kind of women?

4. The bullwhip is described by the narrator as long, round, limp, and what?

5. Where does Delia say Sykes would disappear to with all of his wages during the first year of their marriage?

(see the answer keys)

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