Everyday Use Narrative Assignment

Everyday Use COMPREHENSION (40 points; 4 points each) On the line provided, write the letter of the best answer to each of the following items. C 1. Maggie’s shyness arises mainly from — ______ A her fear of her sister B the sudden attraction she feels toward Hakim-a-barber C a trauma she suffered when the house burned down D the ridicule her family heaps on her F ______ 2. Dee probably changes her name because she — F wants to get back at her family G wants to connect with her African roots H never liked the sound of it J thinks a new name will enhance her career A ______ 3. The mother is reluctant to let Dee have the quilts because the mother — A has promised them to Maggie B distrusts Dee and Hakim-a-barber C knows the quilts have great monetary value D is angry with Dee for leaving home J ______ 4. Why does the mother finally decide to give the quilts to Maggie instead of to Dee? F The mother thinks Dee will sell them. G Hakim-a-barber makes insulting remarks about them. H Dee changes her mind about wanting them. J She is touched by Maggie’s vulnerability and deep sense of family. B ______ 5. Dee and Maggie differ in that Maggie is — A less practical than Dee B closer to her mother than Dee is C more educated than Dee D better looking than Dee G 6. Which of the following traits does Dee share with her mother? ______ F Neither of them likes the family house. G Both women are strong-willed. H Both of them love their country. J Neither of them went to high school. C ______ 7. Which of the following statements best describes the story’s main conflict? A Dee argues with her mother over the butter churn. B The mother wants Maggie to be more like Dee. C Dee wants the quilts, but her mother has promised them to Maggie. D The mother does not approve of Dee’s choice in men. F ______ 8. What happens at the end of the story? F The mother hugs Maggie for the first time. G The mother apologizes to Dee for not understanding her. H Maggie speaks up for herself for the first time. J Dee decides to make quilts herself. B ______ 9. Who has the quilts at the end of the story? A Dee B Maggie C Hakim-a-barber D The mother F ______ 10. When Dee tells her mother, “You just don’t understand,” the statement shows the reader that — F it’s actually Dee who doesn’t understand G Dee is cleverer than her mother H Dee thinks her mother is being mean J Dee understands her mother and Maggie LITERARY FOCUS (20 points; 5 points each) On the line provided, write the letter of the best answer to each of the following items. A ______ 11. We learn about the mother in “Everyday Use” mainly through the story’s — A narration B dialogue C description D soliloquy H _____ _ 12. In her own mind the mother — F thinks she is a gifted writer G feels she has set a bad example for her daughters H accepts herself as a strong, capable woman J believes that her life lacks meaning and purpose D ______ 13. Which of the following lines of dialogue best shows how Dee feels about herself? A “How do you pronounce this name?” B “She did all this stitching by hand. Imagine!” C “You know as well as me you was named after your aunt Dicie.” D “I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.” F ______ 14. In the mother’s dream about appearing on television, she — F is tearfully reunited with Dee G takes over the role of talk-show host H kills a bull calf with a sledgehammer J is afraid to look a strange white man in the eye VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT (20 points; 4 points each) On the line provided, write the Vocabulary word that best completes each sentence. doctrines rifling furtive oppress cowering doctrind that are at odds with her 15. Dee seems to live by ______________________ mother’s beliefs. furtive or sneaky about Dee. 16. There is nothing ______________________ rifling through the house for the things she 17. Dee begins ______________________ wants. oppress many people. 18. Poverty and a lack of education still ______________________ cowering fearfully in a corner as 19. The mother sees Maggie ______________________ Dee exclaims over the two quilts. CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE (20 points) 20. Re-read the passage on page 78 beginning with “You’ve no doubt seen those TV shows” and ending with “Hesitation was no part of her nature.” Then, on a separate sheet of paper, describe what this passage tells you about the mother’s character. Support your ideas by referring to specific parts of the text.