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

2. When Delia tells Sykes that she has been taking in laundry the whole time they have been married, what question does he immediately ask her?

3. Who says he would have married Delia himself if Sykes had not beaten him to it?

4. In what room does Delia sort the clothes she will launder?

5. For how long has Delia been married to Sykes?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Before Delia's decision to stand up to Sykes by raising the iron skillet in a defensive pose, how does she react to his verbal abuse?

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

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

9. Describe the symbolism of the iron skillet.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of figurative language within the story Sweat and how the use of these literary devices helps her to get across particular thematic elements of the story.

Essay Topic 2

What is signified by Delia's worry that Sykes is out with her horse and carriage at the start of the story and how does her worry relate to the themes inherent in the story?

Essay Topic 3

How is the cycle of domestic violence portrayed within the short story Sweat?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 991 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample