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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. On what day of the week does Delia collect and deliver clothes using her pony and buckboard?
(a) Saturday.
(b) Wednesday.
(c) Sunday.
(d) Monday.

2. 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.

3. When Sykes leaves and Delia feels certain that he will not be home until a certain time, when is that time?
(a) The following week.
(b) Nearly daybreak.
(c) After dawn.
(d) The following night.

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

5. Who lets a bullwhip fall onto Delia's shoulders in order to scare her?
(a) Bertha.
(b) Sykes.
(c) Dave.
(d) Joe.

Short Answer 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?

2. What object does Delia pick up immediately after Sykes threatens her in the kitchen?

3. 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?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

4. In what ways do the men on Joe Clarke's porch express contempt for Sykes?

5. What is the significance of Joe Clarke's pronouncement that some men treat women like pieces of sugar-cane?

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

7. Describe the symbolism of the iron skillet.

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

9. 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?

10. At what point does the author show the first change in Delia's character and how does she portray this change?

(see the answer keys)

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