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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is the first thing the woman says to the purse thief?

3. What does the woman tell the boy she is going to do for him that evening?

4. What does the author say the woman does not have in her purse in paragraph one 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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