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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. For how long has Delia been married to Sykes?
(a) 10 years.
(b) 15 years.
(c) 7 years.
(d) 20 years.

2. For how long has Delia been doing people's laundry to bring in money?
(a) 15 years.
(b) 10 years.
(c) 7 years.
(d) 20 years.

3. Where does Delia place the washtub when she returns from the yard with it in her hands?
(a) On the bedroom floor.
(b) On the washbench.
(c) On the back porch.
(d) In the kitchen sink.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. For what purpose does the narrator say Delia had built and improved upon her little home?

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

3. What day of the week is considered the Sabbath within traditional Christianity?

4. What does Delia say she does for her pony that makes him belong to her?

5. What kind of nuts had Sykes brought as a present to help him woo one of the men's wives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is shown about Delia's character traits in the very first paragraph of the story?

2. How is the reader made aware that Delia used to love Sykes and still could if he would only change his behavior?

3. How does the author make a change in Delia's speech in order to portray her newly-won defiance toward Sykes and his attempts to control her?

4. In what ways does Sykes's character emerge within the story's very first featured encounter between Sykes and Delia?

5. What is the reason for the listlessness of the men who gather on Joe Clarke's porch?

6. How does the author depict Sykes as being childish?

7. In what ways do the men on Joe Clarke's porch express admiration of Delia?

8. Why does Delia's knowledge that Sykes is out with her pony and carriage worry her?

9. Why does Delia stay up so much later on Sunday nights than on any other night of the week and how does Sykes find fault with this practice?

10. What does Sykes's bullwhip symbolize within the story?

(see the answer keys)

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