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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. With whom is the woman walking home at the start of "Thank You, Ma'am"?

2. What happens when someone tries to snatch the woman's purse from her?

3. What does the boy call the woman when he apologizes to her?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. 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?

6. What does the woman say about the boy's face after he tries to apologize to her?

7. 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?

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

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. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Hughes' language style and word choice in "Thank You, Ma'am." What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Look at the structure of the story. How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Define setting and discuss the significance of Hughes' choice of setting in "Thank You, Ma'am."

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