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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. Under the influence of alcohol, Walter Lee dramatically ridicules what?

2. What is Beneatha's relationship to Ruth?

3. Who is acting as head of the Younger family?

4. Who makes the first entrance?

5. What is the first thing Ruth does on stage?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Beneatha have to wait to use the bathroom when she wakes up?

2. How does Mama react when her neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, refuses to lend her some cleanser?

3. What does Walter Lee do when he sees Beneatha in her Nigerian costume?

4. What conclusion do Ruth and Walter Lee come to about their marriage in this scene?

5. What is Ruth referring to when she talks to George about "them bombs and things they keep setting off?"

6. Why did Mama decide to buy a new house for the family?

7. Describe Walter Lee's future, as he sees it.

8. How does Mama react to Beneatha asking whether Ruth "planned" her baby?

9. Why do you think Ruth fainted at the end of the scene?

10. How does Beneatha differ from the other members of her family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All of the characters in this play have specific relationships to money or the lack thereof. Examine the theme of money in this play and how it affects the various characters.

Essay Topic 2

Describe how Mama exercises her power over family members, especially the male characters Walter and Travis. How does she include or exclude them?

Essay Topic 3

Lorraine Hansberry was a notable African-American. She was also a woman. People tend to consider both perspectives as somehow more specialized than white, male perspectives. Do you agree? Write an essay addressing the question of whether this play is primarily an "African-American" play or a "Woman's" play.

(see the answer keys)

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