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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What time is it at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

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

3. What does the woman tell the boy she would do if he was her son?

4. How is the boy described as looking?

5. Who is the author of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How old is the boy? How is he described physically?

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

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

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

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

7. What does the woman tell the boy she would do if she was his mother? What does she say is the least she can do for him since she is not his mother?

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

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Hughes' commentary on crime and punishment in “Thank You, Ma’am.” How is this theme important to the story? How does it affect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing the symbolic significance the boy's economic status has on the story. Why is this important and how does it develop the themes of the story? What would be different if he were wealthy? Use examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay discussing the setting and time period of “Thank You, Ma’am.” In what ways does the time period and setting impact your understanding of the story as well as the themes?

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