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

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

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

4. Against what object does Sykes strike his match?
(a) The sole of his boot.
(b) The fireplace mantel.
(c) His corduroy breeches.
(d) The matchbox.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Sykes say that he will kick the clothes the next time she brings them home?

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

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

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

5. What does Delia do with the clothes after Sykes steps on them?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is foreshadowing incorporated into the very first encounter between Delia and Sykes?

3. What is demonstrated about Sykes's character when the narrator states, "It pleased him for Delia to see" (3) him ordering for Bertha at the store?

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

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

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

7. What is ironic about Sykes's stating that his reason for ordering Delia to cease taking in laundry from white folks is that he has promised God that she will do so?

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

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

10. Describe the symbolism of the iron skillet.

(see the answer keys)

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