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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 does the woman tell the boy she used to want when she was young?

2. What does the woman tell the boy she hopes he can do from now on before she walks him out of her room?

3. What does the woman cook for herself and the boy to eat?

4. What does the woman tell the boy he should do to look presentable while she cooks?

5. Why does the woman avoid asking the boy where he lives or who his parents are?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the woman try to relate to the boy after he washes his face in her room?

2. What does the boy tell Mrs. Jones when she asks if he has eaten supper?

3. Where does Mrs. Jones live? How is the place described? How does the boy know there are others in the house?

4. In what way does Mrs. Jones show the boy trust while she cooks them a meal?

5. What does the boy offer to do for the woman while she prepares their supper?

6. What words are used to describe the way Mrs. Jones handles the boy as the takes him out the street to her house?

7. What does the boy do so that he can be sure Mrs. Jones trusts he will not steal from her? Why?

8. What does the boy tell the woman he wanted to buy when he tried to steal her purse? What does she say he could have done instead?

9. How does Mrs. Jones reply when the boy asks if she is going to take him to jail while he waits for the water to warm so he can wash his face?

10. How is the boy described as looking and acting while Mrs. Jones pulls him up the street toward her house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the theme of compassion and kindness?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay examining the ending of “Thank You, Ma’am.” How did the ending fit into the storyline? Do you think the ending was effective? What theme might the ending represent? What might the author have done differently?

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This section contains 739 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample