The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara

Why did Toni Cade Bambara live in many

different states?

• She had to search for high-paying jobs

• She hated living in the city

• She was harassed for her civil rights work

• She taught screenwriting at the college level

Which of the following characters resembles Miss Moore?

• Rosie Giraffe

• Mercedes

• Sylvia

• Sugar

About what does Sylvia decide to ask Miss Moore?

• The uses of a microscope

• The value of the paperweight

• The amount to tip the driver

• The price of a yacht

In which dialect did Bambara write “The Lesson”?

• Formal English

• Standard American English (SAE)

• African American Vernacular English (AAVE)

• Southern Rural American English (SoRAE)

What of the following statements accurately describes Sylvia’s opinion of Miss Moore?

• Sylvia secretly admires Miss Moore, but doesn't want her friends or Miss Moore to know that.

• Sylvia dislikes Miss Moore because she tries too hard to act like a "stupid white person."

• Sylvia is uncomfortable with Miss Moore because she doesn't attend church "like normal people."

• Sylvia thinks Miss Moore is pretentious and arrogant, and resents her efforts to change Sylvia and her friends.

Which of the following emotions does Sylvia feel upon entering the toy store?

• Anger

• Envy

• Shame

• Disgust

About which object in the store does Sylvia fixate?

• The paperweight

• The microscope

• The sailboat

• The jumping clown

What is the name of the toy store that the children visited?

• FAO Schwartz

• Toys R Us

• Macy's

• 5th Avenue Toys

What does Miss Moore initially ask Sylvia to do?

• Calculate a tip for the cab driver

• Pay attention with an open mind

• Make sure the other kids behave

• Pack a healthy lunch

To which collection did Bambara’s “The Lesson” belong?

• The Things They Carried

• Northern Lights

• Come Back, Dr. Calligari

• Gorilla, My Love