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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the boy say to the woman when she asks him why he wanted to steal her purse?
(a) He says he did not aim to.
(b) He says he is hungry.
(c) He says she looked rich.
(d) He says his mama made him.

2. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he has anyone at home to wash his face?
(a) He says he lives with his father.
(b) He says he does not.
(c) He says his mama washes his face.
(d) He says he washed his face that morning.

3. What do passersby do when they see the boy and the woman?
(a) Yell at the boy.
(b) Yell at the woman.
(c) Pass by or stop and watch.
(d) Get the police.

4. What happens when someone tries to snatch the woman's purse from her?
(a) The strap breaks.
(b) The contents spill out.
(c) The thief manages to get it and runs away.
(d) The thief changes his mind and runs away.

5. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he is hungry?
(a) He says he is starving and would be thankful if she fed him.
(b) He says he just ate a hamburger and some fries.
(c) He says his mother would be mad at him if he ate the woman's food.
(d) He says he is not hungry and just wants her to let him go.

6. What does the boy say he will do if the woman lets go of him?
(a) Turn himself in.
(b) Run away.
(c) Walk her home.
(d) Go home.

7. What happens to the purse thief after trying to snatch the purse?
(a) An officer grabs him.
(b) He feels bad and apologizes.
(c) He runs off with the purse.
(d) He falls to the ground.

8. What does the woman tell the boy she would do if he was her son?
(a) Find him a job.
(b) Pay him to do chores.
(c) Teach him right from wrong.
(d) Take him to church.

9. What adjective is used to describe the woman in the first paragraph of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) Elegant.
(b) Petite.
(c) Large.
(d) Shabby.

10. Who is the author of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) Ernest Hemingway.
(b) Richard Wright.
(c) James Baldwin.
(d) Langston Hughes.

11. How is the boy described as looking?
(a) Young as green corn.
(b) As strong as an ox.
(c) Frail and willow-wild.
(d) Plump and stout.

12. What does the author say the woman does not have in her purse in paragraph one of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) Her dinner.
(b) The kitchen sink.
(c) Hammer and nails.
(d) Money and credit cards.

13. How does the woman respond to the boy's explanation for why he wanted to steal her purse?
(a) She says he is lying.
(b) She tells him to speak up.
(c) She tells him he can have her purse.
(d) She tells him she feels bad for him.

14. What time is it at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) 12 p.m.
(b) 6 a.m.
(c) 11 p.m.
(d) 5 p.m.

15. Who tries to steal the woman's purse at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?
(a) A young girl.
(b) An old woman.
(c) A young boy.
(d) An old man.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the boy wearing when he tries to steal the woman's purse?

2. What does the woman do to the purse thief in paragraph one after trying to steal her purse?

3. What is the first thing the woman says to the purse thief?

4. What question does the woman ask the boy after he tries to steal her purse?

5. About how old is the boy who tries to steal the woman's purse?

(see the answer keys)

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