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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who lets a bullwhip fall onto Delia's shoulders in order to scare her?
(a) Dave.
(b) Sykes.
(c) Bertha.
(d) Joe.

2. When Joe Clarke says that there is no law in the world that will make a man act a certain way, what is that certain way he mentions?
(a) Faithful.
(b) Conscientious.
(c) Decent.
(d) Loving.

3. When the narrator states that Delia lies awake thinking about debris cluttering a certain kind of trail, what adjective is used to describe that trail?
(a) Philosophical.
(b) Lonely.
(c) Matrimonial.
(d) Familial.

4. What does Delia call Sykes's action of scaring her with the bullwhip?
(a) A sin.
(b) An injustice.
(c) A joke.
(d) A travesty.

5. What "habitual" character trait of Delia's seems "to slip from her shoulders" (1) after Sykes threatens her with physical violence?
(a) Ease.
(b) Meekness.
(c) Humility.
(d) Honesty.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator describes Sykes's choice of the laundry pile on which to step using which adjective?

2. In what room does Delia sort the clothes she will launder?

3. When one of the men's wives had repelled Sykes's advances, she had told him that Delia worked so hard that she bet everything in the house tasted like sweat and what?

4. What day of the week is considered the Sabbath within traditional Christianity?

5. For how long has Delia been doing people's laundry to bring in money?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what season does the story begin its narrative and what does this choice by the author symbolize?

2. What is the significance of Joe Clarke's pronouncement that some men treat women like pieces of sugar-cane?

3. In what ways do the men on Joe Clarke's porch express contempt for Sykes?

4. How is foreshadowing incorporated into the very first encounter between Delia and Sykes?

5. What behaviors does Delia display that demonstrate her familiarity with Sykes's abusive behaviors?

6. What is the reason for the listlessness of the men who gather on Joe Clarke's porch?

7. In what ways do the men on Joe Clarke's porch express admiration of Delia?

8. What is the significance of Delia's comment that she does not want to fight with Sykes because she has just come back from church services?

9. Describe the symbolism of the iron skillet.

10. At what point does the author show the first change in Delia's character and how does she portray this change?

(see the answer keys)

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