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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 does Harpo blame for his strange bruises?
(a) His new baby.
(b) His mule.
(c) His health.
(d) His wife.

2. What color is the fabric Shug donates to the quilt Celie and Sofia are working on?
(a) Blue.
(b) White.
(c) Purple.
(d) Yellow.

3. How does Celie hope Nettie will escape from Pa’s house?
(a) Through marriage.
(b) Through her education.
(c) By running away.
(d) By killing him.

4. What does Celie do when she overhears Shug and Mr. having sex on the night before Shug moves out?
(a) She screams into her pillow.
(b) She prays.
(c) She masturbates and cries.
(d) Nothing – she is completely apathetic.

5. How many children do Mr. and Shug have together?
(a) 3.
(b) 2.
(c) 4.
(d) 1.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Celie react to the news that Shug Avery is coming to town?

2. What does Celie say is keeping Shug alive?

3. Where did Harpo meet the girl that he claims to have fallen in love with?

4. Why does Sofia finally decide to leave Harpo?

5. Why do Harlo’s kids love Squeak?

Short Essay Questions

1. What obsessive behavior does Harpo start, and what does this suggest about his character?

2. What is unique about the novel’s style, which is made apparent within the first few pages?

3. What changes about Harpo’s life after Sofia leaves him?

4. How do Mr. and Celie come to be married?

5. Why is Mr. so emotional with Shug in his house?

6. How does Shug Avery come to live in Celie’s house, and how does Celie feel about this?

7. How does Harpo’s juke joint fare when it first opens?

8. How does Mr.’s family feel about having Shug in the house?

9. How does Harpo react to the news that Sofia’s father doesn’t think he’s good enough for her?

10. Why does Sofia decide to leave Harpo, and how does he react to the news?

(see the answer keys)

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