Exploring Themes in Everyday Use

What is the primary theme of "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker?

• The importance of family heritage

• The struggle for civil rights

• The impact of technology on society

• The power of education

Answer explanation

The primary theme of "Everyday Use" is the importance of family heritage, as it explores how characters value their cultural roots and the differing perspectives on heritage within a family.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which character in "Everyday Use" undergoes the most significant change throughout the story?

• Dee

• Maggie

• Mama

• Hakim-a-barber

Answer explanation

Mama undergoes the most significant change in "Everyday Use" as she gains confidence and asserts her identity, ultimately choosing to embrace her heritage over Dee's superficial understanding of it.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Analyze how Dee's attitude towards her heritage differs from Maggie's. Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.

• Dee values heritage as a symbol of status, while Maggie sees it as a part of daily life.

• Dee and Maggie both value heritage in the same way.

• Maggie rejects her heritage, while Dee embraces it.

• Both Dee and Maggie are indifferent to their heritage.

Answer explanation

Dee views her heritage as a means to elevate her status, seeking to display it through artifacts, while Maggie appreciates it as an integral part of her everyday life, reflecting a deeper, more personal connection.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

What does the quilt symbolize in "Everyday Use"?

• Wealth and prosperity

• Family heritage and tradition

• Modernity and progress

• Conflict and war

Answer explanation

In 'Everyday Use', the quilt represents family heritage and tradition, showcasing the importance of cultural identity and the connection to ancestors, contrasting with the character's differing views on heritage.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Summarize the main idea of "Everyday Use" in one sentence.

• The story explores the different ways family members value their heritage.

• The story is about a family's struggle with poverty.

• The story focuses on the impact of education on rural communities.

• The story highlights the importance of technological advancements.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights how the story illustrates the differing perspectives of family members regarding their cultural heritage, which is central to the narrative.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Compare Mama's perspective on heritage with Dee's perspective. How do their views differ?

• Mama sees heritage as practical and lived, while Dee sees it as aesthetic and symbolic.

• Both Mama and Dee see heritage as purely symbolic.

• Mama rejects heritage, while Dee embraces it.

• Both Mama and Dee see heritage as practical and lived.

Answer explanation

Mama views heritage as something practical and lived through daily experiences, while Dee perceives it as an aesthetic and symbolic representation of culture, highlighting their differing values and connections to their roots.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

What is the significance of Dee changing her name to Wangero in "Everyday Use"?

• It represents her rejection of her family's heritage.

• It signifies her embrace of African culture.

• It shows her desire to fit in with her peers.

• It indicates her wish to forget her past.

Answer explanation

Dee's name change to Wangero signifies her embrace of African culture, reflecting her desire to reconnect with her roots and assert her identity, contrasting with her family's more traditional views.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

How does the setting of "Everyday Use" influence the characters' attitudes and actions?

• The rural setting emphasizes the simplicity and practicality of Mama and Maggie's lives.

• The urban setting highlights the modernity of Dee's lifestyle.

• The setting has no impact on the characters.

• The setting creates a sense of isolation and loneliness.

Answer explanation

The rural setting of 'Everyday Use' highlights Mama and Maggie's focus on practicality and tradition, contrasting with Dee's more modern views. This simplicity shapes their attitudes and actions, emphasizing their connection to heritage.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

What does Dee's desire to take the quilts signify about her character?

• Her appreciation for family traditions

• Her superficial understanding of heritage

• Her desire to help her family

• Her need for financial gain

Answer explanation

Dee's desire to take the quilts reflects her superficial understanding of heritage, as she values the items for their aesthetic and status rather than their true cultural significance and the family traditions they represent.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Interpret the following quote from "Everyday Use": "Maggie smiled; maybe at the sunglasses. But a real smile, not scared."

• Maggie is genuinely happy and confident for the first time.

• Maggie is mocking Dee's appearance.

• Maggie is scared but trying to hide it.

• Maggie is indifferent to Dee's presence.

Answer explanation

Maggie's smile indicates a newfound happiness and confidence, contrasting her previous fear. The phrase 'not scared' emphasizes her positive emotional shift, suggesting she feels secure in herself, especially in relation to Dee.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking