Test: Thank you, M'am (Pages 1-3)

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What time of night did the incident occur?

   a) About 9 PM

   b) About 11 PM

   c) Midnight

   d) Early morning

2. What did the boy attempt to do to the woman?

   a) Ask for directions

   b) Offer help

   c) Snatch her purse

   d) Sell her something

3. What happened immediately after the purse strap broke?

   a) The boy ran away successfully

   b) The woman screamed for help

   c) The boy lost his balance and fell

   d) The purse contents spilled out

4. What was the first thing the woman did to the boy after he fell?

   a) Helped him up

   b) Shook him

   c) Kicked him

   d) Called the police

5. How did the woman initially hold the boy?

   a) By his arm

   b) By his hair

   c) By his shirt front

   d) By his leg

6. What did the woman command the boy to do right after catching him?

   a) Apologize

   b) Pick up her pocketbook

   c) Empty his pockets

   d) Tell her his name

7. What is the boy's name?

   a) James

   b) Roger

   c) Langston

   d) David

8. What did the woman say she had 'a great mind' to do because the boy's face was dirty?

   a) Take him home

   b) Give him money

   c) Wash his face for him

   d) Scold him loudly

9. How old did the boy appear to be?

   a) Ten or eleven

   b) Twelve or thirteen

   c) Fourteen or fifteen

   d) Sixteen or seventeen

10. How did Mrs. Jones restrain the boy while dragging him up the street after he struggled?

    a) Holding his shirt

    b) With a rope

    c) With a half nelson around his neck

    d) Holding both his arms

11. Where in the house did Mrs. Jones take Roger?

    a) The living room

    b) The front porch

    c) A large kitchenette-furnished room

    d) The basement

12. What was the first thing Mrs. Jones told Roger to do once inside her room?

    a) Sit down

    b) Explain himself

    c) Wash his face

    d) Empty his pockets

13. What did Roger ask Mrs. Jones while he was at the sink?

    a) If he could leave

    b) If she was going to take him to jail

    c) If she had any food

    d) If he could call his parents

14. What reason did Roger give for trying to snatch the pocketbook?

    a) He was hungry

    b) He needed bus fare

    c) He wanted a pair of blue suede shoes

    d) He didn't give a reason initially

15. What did Mrs. Jones say Roger could have done instead of snatching her purse?

    a) Gotten a job

    b) Asked his parents

    c) Asked her

    d) Saved his money

16. What did Mrs. Jones imply about her own youth?

    a) She never wanted anything

    b) She always followed the rules

    c) She also wanted things she couldn't get and did things she wouldn't tell him

    d) She grew up wealthy

17. Where did Mrs. Jones leave her purse while she went behind the screen?

    a) On the table

    b) Behind the screen with her

    c) On the daybed

    d) By the door

18. Why did Roger offer to go to the store for Mrs. Jones?

    a) He wanted to escape

    b) He was thirsty for sweet milk

    c) He wanted her to trust him

    d) She asked him to go

19. What food and drink did Mrs. Jones prepare?

    a) Sandwiches and water

    b) Soup and tea

    c) Lima beans, beef, cocoa, and cake

    d) Eggs and coffee

20. What subject did Mrs. Jones avoid discussing with Roger during the meal?

    a) Her job

    b) The weather

    c) His home life or family

    d) Her customers

21. How much money did Mrs. Jones give Roger?

    a) One dollar

    b) Five dollars

    c) Ten dollars

    d) Twenty dollars

22. What did Mrs. Jones warn would happen to shoes obtained through 'devilish ways'?

    a) They would fall apart

    b) They would be stolen

    c) They would burn your feet

    d) They would bring bad luck

23. What was Roger unable to say as he left?

    a) Goodbye

    b) I'm sorry

    c) Anything, not even 'Thank you, m'am'

    d) Where he lived

Synonyms (Multiple Choice)

Choose the best synonym for the given word, based on its use in the text.

1. Snatch

   a) Hold gently

   b) Grab quickly/Steal

   c) Return

2. Tug

   a) Push

   b) Sharp pull

   c) Tap

3. Rattled

   a) Shone

   b) Fell out

   c) Clattered/Shook

4. Permit

   a) Force

   b) Allow

   c) Prevent

5. Gripped

   a) Touched lightly

   b) Held tightly

   c) Pushed

6. Release

   a) Let go

   b) Hold tighter

   c) Question

7. Frail

   a) Strong

   b) Weak/Delicate

   c) Tall

8. Struggle

   a) Relax

   b) Agree

   c) Fight against restraint

9. Jerked

   a) Guided gently

   b) Pulled sharply

   c) Spun slowly

10. Whereupon

    a) Before which

    b) Despite which

    c) After which/Consequently

11. Dash

    a) Slow walk

    b) Quick run

    c) Jump

12. Frowned

    a) Smiled

    b) Furrowed brow

    c) Laughed

13. Presentable

    a) Untidy

    b) Fit to be seen/Tidy

    c) Hidden

14. Embarrass

    a) Comfort

    b) Please

    c) Make ashamed/uncomfortable

15. Latching

    a) Ignoring

    b) Grabbing/Clinging to

    c) Giving away

16. Barren

    a) Crowded

    b) Decorated

    c) Empty/Bleak

Short Answer Questions

Provide your answers in the text boxes below.

1. Describe Mrs. Jones' purse and how she carried it.
2. What combination of factors caused Roger to lose his balance?
3. What did Mrs. Jones do immediately after kicking Roger and picking him up?
4. Why did Mrs. Jones decide to take Roger home with her?
5. Describe Roger's physical appearance as noted by the narrator.
6. What did Mrs. Jones' room look like, and what sounds could be heard?
7. Why did Roger choose to wash his face instead of running when Mrs. Jones let him go?
8. What was Mrs. Jones' response when Roger asked if she was taking him to jail?
9. What did Mrs. Jones reveal about her own past actions and desires?
10. How did Roger try to show Mrs. Jones that he could be trusted while she was behind the screen?
11. What kind of conversation did Mrs. Jones have with Roger during their meal?
12. What specific instructions and warnings did Mrs. Jones give Roger along with the ten dollars?
13. Describe Roger's final moments as he stood on the stoop after leaving.
14. Explain the meaning behind the phrase 'shoes got by devilish ways will burn your feet'.
15. How did Mrs. Jones demonstrate both toughness and kindness towards Roger?