View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who tries to steal the woman's purse at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) A young boy.
(b) A young girl.
(c) An old woman.
(d) An old man.

2. What is the boy wearing when he tries to steal the woman's purse?
(a) Gym shorts and sandals.
(b) Barefoot and tattered overalls.
(c) Oversized shoes and tight pants.
(d) Tennis shoes and blue jeans.

3. What does the boy say he will do if the woman lets go of him?
(a) Go home.
(b) Run away.
(c) Turn himself in.
(d) Walk her home.

4. What question does the woman ask the boy after he tries to steal her purse?
(a) "Ain't you got a mother?"
(b) "Who do you think you are?"
(c) "Ain't you ashamed of yourself?"
(d) "Do you know who I am?"

5. What adjective is used to describe the woman's purse in the first paragraph of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) Heavy.
(b) Small.
(c) Large.
(d) Lightweight.

6. What time is it at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) 11 p.m.
(b) 5 p.m.
(c) 6 a.m.
(d) 12 p.m.

7. How does the woman reply to the boy's apology?
(a) She tells him he is lying.
(b) She tells him he ought to be sorry.
(c) She tells him she forgives him.
(d) She tells him his face is dirty.

8. What does the woman tell the boy she is going to do for him that evening?
(a) Wash his face.
(b) Buy him shoes.
(c) Take him home.
(d) Walk him to jail.

9. What is the first thing the woman says to the purse thief?
(a) "Pick up my pocketbook!"
(b) "I'm calling the cops!"
(c) "Get away from me!"
(d) "You little rat!"

10. What does the boy call the woman when he apologizes to her?
(a) Lady.
(b) Miss.
(c) Granny.
(d) Ma'am.

11. What does the boy say to the woman when she asks him why he wanted to steal her purse?
(a) He says he did not aim to.
(b) He says his mama made him.
(c) He says he is hungry.
(d) He says she looked rich.

12. Who is the author of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) James Baldwin.
(b) Richard Wright.
(c) Langston Hughes.
(d) Ernest Hemingway.

13. How does the woman respond to the boy's explanation for why he wanted to steal her purse?
(a) She tells him to speak up.
(b) She tells him she feels bad for him.
(c) She says he is lying.
(d) She tells him he can have her purse.

14. What does the author say the woman does not have in her purse in paragraph one of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) Money and credit cards.
(b) Her dinner.
(c) Hammer and nails.
(d) The kitchen sink.

15. With whom is the woman walking home at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) Her sister.
(b) Her boyfriend.
(c) Her coworker.
(d) Nobody.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he is hungry?

2. About how old is the boy who tries to steal the woman's purse?

3. What happens when someone tries to snatch the woman's purse from her?

4. What does the woman do to the purse thief in paragraph one after trying to steal her purse?

5. How is the boy described as looking?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 599 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample