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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. What is the boy wearing when he tries to steal the woman's purse?
(a) Barefoot and tattered overalls.
(b) Tennis shoes and blue jeans.
(c) Oversized shoes and tight pants.
(d) Gym shorts and sandals.

2. What does the boy call the woman when he apologizes to her?
(a) Granny.
(b) Lady.
(c) Miss.
(d) Ma'am.

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

4. About how old is the boy who tries to steal the woman's purse?
(a) 8.
(b) 14.
(c) 18.
(d) 5.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the woman reply to the boy's apology?

2. How does the woman respond to the boy's explanation for why he wanted to steal her purse?

3. What does the author say the woman does not have in her purse in paragraph one of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

4. What do passersby do when they see the boy and the woman?

5. What does the boy say he will do if the woman lets go of him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two questions does the woman ask the boy after he tries to steal her purse and how does he reply?

2. What does the woman demand from the boy after he tries to steal her purse?

3. What does the boy say to the woman when she asks if he has anybody at home to tell him to wash his face? What does the woman say she will do after he replies?

4. What does the woman say to the boy when he tells her he was not trying to steal her purse?

5. What does someone try to do to the woman as she is walking down the street at the start of the story?

6. How does the woman react to the boy's action at the start of the story?

7. What does the woman say to the boy when he tells her she was not bothering him when she walking down the street?

8. How is the woman describe at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"? What does she look like? What does she have with her? What time is it?

9. What do passersby do while the woman is talking to the boy after he tried to steal her purse?

10. What does the boy say when the woman asks if he will run if she turns him loose? What does she say to his response?

(see the answer keys)

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