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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. Which of the following distinctive characteristics did this new group not have?

2. What did Basil do to the police officer?

3. From where did many of these new tenants migrate?

4. Who invites Mattie and Basil to live in her home?

5. Mattie is so angry she wants to ______________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What can the tenants tell from Ben's singing?

2. According to the author, what happens when a dream dies?

3. What is Cora Lee's background?

4. How does the author use Ciel's life to show the theme of babies as hope for a new generation?

5. On what grounds do Ben and Lorraine form an unlikely friendship?

6. What are the personality characteristics of Brewster Place?

7. Compare and contrast Mattie and Basil.

8. How has Mattie evolved to become the wise, loving matriarch of Brewster Place?

9. How does the author choose to open the book?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even though Butch does not have noble intentions with Mattie, he is at least honest about it. Do you think this was appealing to Mattie? Is Butch very different from the other men in the story in this way? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Mattie and Etta. How are they different? How are they similar? What does each bring to the relationship that allows it to continue for so many years?

Essay Topic 3

Etta longs for respectability yet sleeps with a traveling minister on the night she meets him. Did Etta think she was putting her heart in a safe place? What is the irony in this situation? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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