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

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

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

4. What happens when someone tries to snatch the woman's purse from her?

5. What does the author say the woman does not have in her purse in paragraph one of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does someone try to do to the woman as she is walking down the street 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. 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?

5. 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?

6. 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?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing the narrative structure of “Thank You, Ma’am.” What effect does this have on the story and the reader? Use direct examples from the story to support your analysis.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Write an essay examining Mrs. Jones' purse as a symbol in “Thank You, Ma’am.” In what scenes does the purse appear? What is the context? How does the purse develop the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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