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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 does Old Man Anderson suggest that the men do to Sykes and Bertha in Lake Howell swamp?
(a) Bury them up to their necks.
(b) Whip them.
(c) Drown them.
(d) Imprison them there.

2. What item does Sykes NOT buy from Joe Clarke's store during his visit there?
(a) Gum.
(b) Strawberry soda.
(c) Ground-peas.
(d) Barley.

3. What kind of silence does the narrator say falls on the porch when Sykes and Bertha arrive at the store?
(a) Awkward.
(b) Determined.
(c) Hushed.
(d) Judgmental.

4. What does Delia nearly do as a result of being pushed by Sykes when he is blocking the kitchen doorway?
(a) She nearly falls off the steps.
(b) She nearly claws Sykes's arm.
(c) She nearly steps on the soap box.
(d) She nearly falls down onto the porch.

5. What beverage does Sykes drink slowly and deliberately before he responds to Delia's request that he remove the snake?
(a) Coffee.
(b) Lemonade.
(c) Water.
(d) Strawberry soda.

Short Answer Questions

1. What skill does Sykes learn from a Northern white woman?

2. What is NOT one event listed as taking place during the dog days of summer in Eatonville?

3. What does the narrator say the sun has done to turn July to August?

4. What event does Sykes cite as the only one that will prompt him to get rid of the snake?

5. What two items does Sykes tell Joe Clarke he has come to buy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two differing reasons does Sykes give for why he was able to catch the six-foot rattlesnake in the first place?

2. How do Delia's actions and feelings in regard to the rattlesnake change once she sees its fangs wrapped around the wire mesh of its box?

3. How are Delia's efforts to remain "blind and deaf" (5) to Sykes's adulterous actions thwarted?

4. What is Sykes's reply to Delia's insistence that he remove the rattlesnake from their home?

5. What does Delia say is different about Bertha in comparison to other women with whom Sykes has had affairs?

6. What is Hurston's purpose for alluding to Gethsemane and the rocks of Calvary during the period of conflict with Sykes?

7. What is ironic about Sykes's statement to Bertha that the town is his and that she can have it if she wants it?

8. What plans does Sykes make with Bertha and what is the significance of these plans?

9. What does Sykes mean when he tells Delia not to ask him for anything and comments on her attempt to "goin' roun' trying 'tuh be so damn asterperious"? (6)

10. How does Delia react once Sykes both refuses to remove the rattlesnake and threatens to beat her?

(see the answer keys)

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