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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 Butch invite Mattie to do?

2. Why is Miss Eva scolding Mattie?

3. Mattie is so angry she wants to ______________________.

4. What is Brewster Place?

5. What is another literary element that the author uses throughout the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author use the literary technique of a flashback in Chapter 2, Part 1?

2. How is Mattie's character just like her father as she grows up?

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

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

5. What are the motivations for Sophie's hateful behavior?

6. What is Cora Lee's background?

7. How does Mattie show more maturity even though she is younger than Etta?

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

9. What is the sadness of Mattie's life as far as Basil, the man, is concerned?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the prevalent themes in the book is baptism. Cite at least three examples that support this theme and explain why they do.

Essay Topic 2

Mattie has had only three men important to her life and they all claimed to love her but ended up wounding her. Explain why Mattie's pain kept her from seeking out any other male relationships in her life.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the irony in Mattie's father alienating Mattie--who is his whole life--from his life.

(see the answer keys)

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