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. What does Mattie discover when she returns from work?

2. The author challenges the reader to think in terms of ________________ when encountering the women's stories.

3. What separates Brewster Place from a new business district?

4. Where is Brewster place located?

5. Miss Eva says men just do not agree with her like _______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the circumstances of Basil's arrest and his manipulation of Mattie while incarcerated.

2. Explain the significance of music in Etta's life.

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

4. Cite instances that support the theme of mentoring women in the book.

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

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

7. What is Mattie's father's role in her life?

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

9. Describe the topic of the Opening Poem.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Describe the character of Ben. Why is he important to the story? Why does his appearance in Chapter 1 foreshadow the other men to come in the story?

Essay Topic 3

One recurring theme in the story is that of babies and the next generation. Cite at least three examples that support this theme and explain why they do.

(see the answer keys)

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