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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 he could have done to buy what he wanted instead of trying to steal her purse?

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

3. How soon after their first meeting does the boy see the woman again?

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

5. What does the boy tell the woman he wanted to buy himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways does Mrs. Jones show the boy kindness as he gets ready to wash his face?

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

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

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay examining the ending of “Thank You, Ma’am.” How did the ending fit into the storyline? Do you think the ending was effective? What theme might the ending represent? What might the author have done differently?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

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