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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he is hungry?
(a) He says he is starving and would be thankful if she fed him.
(b) He says his mother would be mad at him if he ate the woman's food.
(c) He says he just ate a hamburger and some fries.
(d) He says he is not hungry and just wants her to let him go.

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

3. How is the boy described as looking?
(a) As strong as an ox.
(b) Frail and willow-wild.
(c) Plump and stout.
(d) Young as green corn.

4. What do passersby do when they see the boy and the woman?
(a) Yell at the woman.
(b) Pass by or stop and watch.
(c) Get the police.
(d) Yell at the boy.

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

6. What happens when someone tries to snatch the woman's purse from her?
(a) The thief manages to get it and runs away.
(b) The strap breaks.
(c) The thief changes his mind and runs away.
(d) The contents spill out.

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

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

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

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

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

12. What adjective is used to describe the woman in the first paragraph of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) Shabby.
(b) Large.
(c) Elegant.
(d) Petite.

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

14. What does the woman tell the boy she would do if he was her son?
(a) Teach him right from wrong.
(b) Pay him to do chores.
(c) Find him a job.
(d) Take him to church.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who tries to steal the woman's purse at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

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

3. What does the boy say he will do if the woman lets go of him?

4. What adjective is used to describe the woman's purse in the first paragraph of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

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

(see the answer keys)

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