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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. Who admonishes Sarah Grimke for teaching the slave children the ABC song during Sunday school in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

2. How late is Burke Williams when he first appears at the Grimke home to call on Sarah?

3. How old is Handful when her character is first introduced in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805?

4. What kind of quilt does Handful begin working with her mother on in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812?

5. Sarah's earliest memory is of her mother beating what slave?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator describe Sarah's appearance in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? How is Sarah regarded by her parents?

2. Where does Handful live when her character is introduced in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? How is the hierarchy of this household described?

3. What does Sarah's eleventh birthday signify? How many siblings does Sarah have? What are their names?

4. What leads to Mauma being allowed to be hired out in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How much does she earn in this manner?

5. What does Sarah discover Handful doing when her family returns from their upcountry estate in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? How does she respond?

6. What incident led to Sarah's speech impediment? What kind of speech impediment does Sarah have?

7. How does Sarah learn to create a manumission document in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? What happens to this document?

8. What items from the Grimke household go missing in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? Who steals these items?

9. How is the character of Mauma described in Part 1, November 1803 – February 1805? What is Mauma's name?

10. What do Handful and Nina help Sarah to prepare for in the beginning of Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of family in The Invention of Wings. How would you describe the relationships within the Grimke family? How does Handful’s relationship with Mauma differ from Sarah’s relationship with Mrs. Grimke? What does the concept of family mean to each of the main characters in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss Charlotte’s actions, objectives, and obstacles when she is arrested in Part 2, February 1811 – December 1812. Why does Charlotte refuse to move aside for the white woman? Who has encouraged this behavior? What obstacles does Charlotte face from her actions?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the courtship and marriage customs in the early 1800s. At what age were young women typically married at this time? How did marriage and courtship customs differ between the upper and lower classes? How did customs differ among the different regions of the country? How are these customs depicted in The Invention of Wings?

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