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

2. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he has anyone at home to wash his face?

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

4. With whom is the woman walking home at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

5. What does the boy say to the woman when she asks him why he wanted to steal her purse?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the woman react to the boy's action at the start of the story?

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

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

4. How old is the boy? How is he described physically?

5. What do passersby do while the woman is talking to the boy after he tried to steal her purse?

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the theme of compassion and kindness?

Essay Topic 2

Look at the structure of the story. How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay discussing the setting and time period of “Thank You, Ma’am.” In what ways does the time period and setting impact your understanding of the story as well as the themes?

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