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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Mattie is so angry she wants to ______________________.
(a) smother the old woman in her sleep
(b) slap the old woman senseless
(c) shoot the old woman
(d) spit in the old woman's freakish blue eyes

2. "Does it dry up like ____________________?"
(a) the desert
(b) yesterday's meat loaf
(c) a raisin in the sun
(d) affections

3. What song does Ben sing when he is drinking?
(a) "We Are Family"
(b) "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
(c) "Who Let the Dogs Out"
(d) "She's a Brick House"

4. Where is Basil when he calls Mattie in the middle of the night as Chapter 2, Part 5 begins?
(a) Airport
(b) Supermarket
(c) School
(d) Jail

5. What does Mattie discover when she returns from work?
(a) Basil is gone
(b) Basil has cleaned the house
(c) Basil has supper ready
(d) Basil is asleep

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of company employs Mattie?

2. "Or does it _____________?"

3. What does Mattie's father want the answer to #55 to do?

4. Who replaced the Mediterraneans when they moved out of Brewster Place?

5. What did Basil do to the police officer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare and contrast Etta and Mattie.

2. Who is the first black man to move into Brewster Place?

3. Explain how Basil is a product of his upbringing even though Mattie thought she was raising him the right way.

4. Explain Kiswana's situation and how it contrasts with her family background.

5. Explain how Butch's behavior with women foreshadows the lives of all the women to come in the story.

6. Who is the author of this book?

7. What life lessons is the author imparting through Mattie, Miss Eva and Etta at this point of the story?

8. Explain how Kiswana's mother tries to show Kiswana what it means to be a strong black woman.

9. Explain Mattie's perspective on Basil's life and her responsibility for him.

10. The theme of baptism is an important one in the book. Explain why the rain that starts on the day of Ben's funeral is so significant.

(see the answer keys)

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