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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. Who lets a bullwhip fall onto Delia's shoulders in order to scare her?

3. The narrator describes Delia's shoulders as thin and what?

4. 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?

5. What object does Delia credit with paying for the house she and Sykes live in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What behaviors does Delia display that demonstrate her familiarity with Sykes's abusive behaviors?

2. How is the role of community portrayed within the scene on Joe Clarke's porch?

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

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

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

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

7. How does Sykes react to Delia's questions whenever she asks him a question?

8. 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?

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. How does the author depict Sykes as being childish?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the first scene in the story when Sykes frightens Delia with his bullwhip?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the rising action and climax stages of the story and discuss how the story's themes are brought forth within these two plot arc stages.

Essay Topic 3

What type of narrator is used within the short story Sweat and how does the narration contrast with the voices of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

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