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 alcohol has Dudley brought with him?

2. Where had Ann met Jeff?

3. What does Dudley tell John to do for Ann?

4. What does John place on the kitchen counter?

5. What does Mattie say happened to her on the subway?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dudley tell John about Mattie's health?

2. Who is Dr. Dudley Stanton and how is he introduced into the play?

3. Why do Mo and Gail come to the house?

4. Why does the author use the theme of black male figures in the story?

5. What is the premise of THE RIVER NIGER?

6. Who is John Williams and what is his demeanor as he enters the play?

7. Why can Jeff not try on his Air Force uniform when John asks him to?

8. What does Mattie tell Ann about what John gave up in order to support her family?

9. What does Dudley tell the family about Mattie's health and how does Mattie respond?

10. Explain the source of John's deep regret in his life. How does Mattie respond to what he says?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Jeff, Ann and Dudley. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 2

Three generations of black women are represented in this play. Compare and contrast Grandma, Mattie and Ann. What similarities do they share? How are they different?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall setting for the play. Why does Walker use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 862 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample