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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 tell the woman he wanted to buy himself?

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

3. Who does the woman tell the boy he will always remember when she is done with him?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 2

Discuss each character and the conflicts they encounter in the story. How do they handle their conflicts? What does this say about the character?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing narrative voice in Hughes of “Thank You, Ma’am.” Include thoughts on how the narrative voice of the story is effective in conveying the story’s themes.

(see the answer keys)

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