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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. Who is the author of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

2. What does the woman tell the boy she would do if he was her son?

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

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he will run if she turns him loose? What does she say to his response?

2. How is the woman describe at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"? What does she look like? What does she have with her? What time is it?

3. What does the woman say to the boy when he tells her she was not bothering him when she walking down the street?

4. What does the woman tell the boy she would do if she was his mother? What does she say is the least she can do for him since she is not his mother?

5. What does someone try to do to the woman as she is walking down the street at the start of the story?

6. What does the woman demand from the boy after he tries to steal her purse?

7. What does the woman say to the boy when he tells her he was not trying to steal her purse?

8. What does the woman say about the boy's face after he tries to apologize to her?

9. What two questions does the woman ask the boy after he tries to steal her purse and how does he reply?

10. What does the boy say to the woman when she asks if he has anybody at home to tell him to wash his face? What does the woman say she will do after he replies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick a character from the story and discuss their goals and motives. Do they achieve their motive? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Hughes' focus on kindness and compassion as presented in the story.

Essay Topic 3

Write a brief essay analyzing the title “Thank You, Ma’am." Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 771 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample