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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the woman do to the purse thief in paragraph one after trying to steal her purse?
(a) She whacks him on the head with her purse.
(b) She has him arrested.
(c) She kicks him.
(d) She yells at him to come back.

2. 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 man.
(d) An old woman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. What happens to the purse thief after trying to snatch the purse?
(a) He feels bad and apologizes.
(b) He runs off with the purse.
(c) He falls to the ground.
(d) An officer grabs him.

14. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he has anyone at home to wash his face?
(a) He says he lives with his father.
(b) He says he does not.
(c) He says his mama washes his face.
(d) He says he washed his face that morning.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What do passersby do when they see the boy and the woman?

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

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

4. How does the woman respond to the boy's explanation for why he wanted to steal her purse?

5. What is the boy wearing when he tries to steal the woman's purse?

(see the answer keys)

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