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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 boy do while the woman is cooking so she knows he will not steal from her?

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

3. What does the woman have in her room to cook and store food?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Jones reply when the boy asks if she is going to take him to jail while he waits for the water to warm so he can wash his face?

2. How does the woman try to relate to the boy after he washes his face in her room?

3. What words are used to describe the way Mrs. Jones handles the boy as the takes him out the street to her house?

4. What does the boy tell the woman he wanted to buy when he tried to steal her purse? What does she say he could have done instead?

5. In what way does Mrs. Jones show the boy trust while she cooks them a meal?

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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)

This section contains 781 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample