Everyday Use

What is the central conflict of Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”?

• the cultural and personal struggle between Maggie and her mom vs. Dee
• the inner conflict between Dee vs. herself on whether she should claim what is rightfully hers
• the political and racial struggle of Maggie, her mom, and Dee vs. white society
• the socioeconomic clash between the poor and the rich

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What do the churn, the quilt, and the Polaroids that Dee takes best symbolize to her?

• the Black Pride movement and empowerment popular in the 1960s and the AfricanAmerican voice over those who attempt to stifle it
• her family’s hard work and support of Dee, her education, and her upbringing
• relics from her family’s past and African-American culture that should be remembered but not used
• slavery and all of the atrocities that African-Americans endured over the years

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How does the action of Maggie “[trying] to dig a well in the sand with her toe” characterize her when Dee returns home?

• This action characterizes Maggie as being adventurous and curious of the world around her. 
• This action characterizes Maggie as being conscientious and mindful of the earth. 
• This action characterizes Maggie as being physical and energetic. 
• This action characterizes Maggie as being weak, non-confrontational, or afraid of Dee. 

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Who is the narrator of "Everyday Use"?

• Dee
• Maggie
• Unidentified
• the mother

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

When is the main conflict of the story resolved?

• Mama takes the quilts from Maggie and gives them to Dee
• The quilt rips and falls to the ground
• Dee steals the quilts and drives off
• Mama takes the quilts from Dee and gives them to Maggie

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

When Ms. Johnson offers Dee a quilt in the past, what is Dee's reaction?

• She gave it ways
• She doesn't want it because it is old-fashioned.
• She threw it in the trash
• She sold them to a white lady for tuition

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Based on the following description of Dee, which inference can you make about her? “She used to read to us without pity; forcing words, lies, other folks’ habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice.”

• She knew how important it was to educate her mother and sister.

• The stories she told were meant to frighten her family and keep them awake at night.

• Dee found many ways to show her mother and sister that she was smarter than they were.

• Because she could read so well, Dee probably would make a fine teacher.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Dee wants the old family quilts because

• new quilts are too expensive, and she cannot afford to buy them

• they represent her family’s history and remind her of her ancestors

• she wants only handmade articles for her home

• they include all the colors she has used in her home

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which inference can you make about Maggie from the following description? “‘How do I look, Mama?’ Maggie says, showing just enough of her thin body enveloped in pink skirt and red blouse for me to know she’s there, almost hidden by the door.”

• Being unsure of herself, Maggie needed her mother to tell her she looked nice.

• No matter what she wore, Maggie always wanted her mother to compliment her.

• Because Maggie was small and thin, she liked to wear bright colors to stand out.

• The door was so heavy that Maggie could not open it herself.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which of the following can you infer about Maggie?

• She is eager to see her sister.

• She misses the old house.

• She’s been unsure of herself for years.

• She will soon sell the quilts.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2