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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 are the only words the boy is able to say to the woman before he leaves her?

2. What does the woman tell the boy she used to want when she was young?

3. What does the woman say shoes "come by devilish" (5) will do?

4. What does the boy do after washing his face when he does not know what else to do?

5. Where does the woman tell the boy she works?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the boy do so that he can be sure Mrs. Jones trusts he will not steal from her? Why?

2. What is the boy's name? What is the first thing Mrs. Jones has him do when they enter her room?

3. How is the boy described as looking and acting while Mrs. Jones pulls him up the street toward her house?

4. What does the boy offer to do for the woman while she prepares their supper?

5. What does Mrs. Jones tell the boy about herself over supper? Why is she careful not to ask him any questions about his life?

6. What does the woman give the boy before he leaves? What does she tell him?

7. What does the boy say to the woman before he leaves? What did he want to say?

8. When Mrs. Jones finally lets the boy go, what does he notice before going to the sink?

9. Where does Mrs. Jones live? How is the place described? How does the boy know there are others in the house?

10. What does Mrs. Jones tell the boy to do while she makes them something to eat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Hughes' language style and word choice in "Thank You, Ma'am." What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing the symbolic significance the boy's economic status has on the story. Why is this important and how does it develop the themes of the story? What would be different if he were wealthy? Use examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the author of “Thank You, Ma’am.” Who is he? What else has he written? How is "Thank You, Ma’am" similar or different from his other works?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 704 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample