View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Claudia says of the girls who come from places like Mobile and Aiken that they “hold their behind in for fear of a sway too” what, in Part III?

2. Where were Frieda’s parents when Mr. Henry “touched her” in Part IV?

3. According to Frieda in Part III, Mrs. Cain told her mother that Woodward did what?

4. What does Frieda say her mother hit Mr. Henry with in Part IV?

5. What movie star does Claudia say “smiled down at us” from the Dreamland Theater in Part III?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Pauline Williams’s early years described in “See Mother…”?

2. To whom do Claudia and Frieda turn in order to obtain whiskey in “Spring”? Why?

3. How is Geraldine’s family described in “See the Cat…”? Upon what does Geraldine focus her affection?

4. “See the Cat…” begins with a discussion of what “types of girls”? Where are these individuals from?

5. What misunderstanding at the ice cream parlor contributes to the growing tension between Claudia and Maureen in “Winter”?

6. What does Mr. Henry tell Claudia and Frieda about his unexpected guests in Part III? What do the girls do?

7. What exchange takes place between Maginot Line and Claudia and Frieda in “Spring”?

8. How is Cholly Breedlove’s childhood described in “See Father…”? Who raised Cholly?

9. How is Maureen Peal described when she is first introduced in “Winter”?

10. How does the conflict between Maureen, Claudia, Frieda, and Pecola escalate in “Winter”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the setting of the novel and examine the different aspects of this time and place in history. What was the political atmosphere in America like in 1941? When did the U.S. enter WWII? How were race relations characterized at this time? How did race relations differ in the north and south in the U.S.?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Claudia’s hatred of baby dolls and the metaphorical meaning behind this hatred. How does Claudia explain her disdain? What does she do with the dolls she’s given? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the feelings of guilt and shame that Frieda experiences after her encounter with Mr. Henry. Do you think that Frieda’s parents, friends, or other adults could have made it easier for Frieda by telling her that it wasn’t her fault? Why do you believe the adults did not do this?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 937 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample