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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What would Ty rather have than syrup?
2. Who says "white beans and no salt meat ain't white beans"?
3. Where is James when he is beside Monsieur Bayonne?
4. What is James "go'n get out" to "wave it down"?
5. What does James wonder if he can do to the thing he sees on the other side of the lilies?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why does James look at the nurse all pitiful?
2. What is the opening line of Chapter 7, who says it, and why?
3. Why does James' mother jump up off the bench inside the dentist's office?
4. What does Mama do after James gets the bird on the leg with his fork?
5. Describe the sleeping arrangements in James' home.
6. What does Helena tell Mama after Mama states that they "don't take no handout"?
7. What do Ty and James have for breakfast and what would Ty rather have?
8. What kind of things does Mama consider crybaby stuff according to James?
9. What happens between the woman on the bus sitting beside Mama and James?
10. What are some of the things that James and his mother pass before they arrive at the dentist's office?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Ernest J. Gaines uses flashbacks in his short story, The Sky is Gray. How do these flashbacks strengthen the story? What connections do you feel with James after reading the flashbacks? Do you feel like you understand and know the characters better after you've read various flashbacks? Why or why not? Do you think that Gaines used flashbacks effectively in the story? Do you think there could have been more flashbacks in the story, or did Gaines use just the right amount? How would the story be different if the author did not use flashbacks? Explain your reasoning.
Essay Topic 2
In the story, The Sky is Gray, James and his family are obviously poor. There are many things that James has never had or never will have in his lifetime. What things do you think James, Mama and the rest of the family have to work for that some people in the story (mainly white people) don't think twice about? What examples do you read about in the story to help you come to the conclusion that James' family is poor? How does this help you connect with James and with Mama? Use specific examples from the story.
Essay Topic 3
There are times in the story, The Sky is Gray where there is conflict between two or more of the characters. Name someone that James has a conflict with. Why does a conflict arise and how is it resolved? Name someone that Mama has a conflict with. Why does this conflict arise and how is it resolved? How do these two conflicts affect each character? Use specific examples in the book to support your views.
This section contains 908 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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