"Thank you M'am" Test (RL 7.3 & 7.6)

What is the significance of the the statement, "You ought to be my son" in paragraph 17?

• Luella Bates Washington Jones believes Roger is a homeless child in need of shelter.

• Luella Bates Washington Jones wants to adopt Roger because she doesn't have children.

• Luella Bates Washington Jones sees Roger as a bad kid who needs to be taken off the streets.

• It suggests that Luella Bates Washington Jones, has a nurturing, motherly attitude towards Roger, and sees potential in him.

Mrs. Jones has the expectation that there is someone at Roger's home to make him wash his face. How does her perspective contrast that of Roger's?

• She believes people should keep their faces clean, but Roger does not.

• From Roger's perspective, he doesn't have anyone at home to make him wash his face.

• Roger is a street kid who can't wash his face like those who have a home with running water.

• Roger does keep his face clean, but he got it dirty when he fell to the ground.

Mrs. Jones believes Roger tried to steal her pocketbook because he was hungry. How does her viewpoint differ from that of Roger?

• Roger is a common thief, and just wanted to steal her pocketbook for the thrill of it.

• Roger only wanted to steal her pocketbook to help feed his family.

• Roger tried to steal hjer pocketbook because he wanted to buy some blue suede shoes.

• Roger was playing a prank in public so he could post it to tiktok for more likes.

How does Mrs. Jones backstory influence her treatment of Roger?

• She understands and relates to Roger's perspective because she had "done things, too, which I would not tell you," when she was young.

• She can't relate to Roger. She doesn't understand why anyone could steal from another person.

• She is ready to teach Roger a lesson thaat he will not soon forget.

• She will make him wash his face, and then feed him a meal.

What is the significance of the moment when Mrs. Jones leaves her purse near Roger? How does this contribute to the overall structure of the story?

• When Mrs. Jones leaves her purse behind, she is trying to catch him in the act of stealing her purse so that she can send him to jail.

• The moment when Mrs. Jones leaves her purse symbolizes her willingness to trust Roger. It serves as a turning point, demonstrating her belief in his potential to change.

• Mrs. Jones feels empathy for Roger, so she leaves her purse behind because she wants him to take some money to buy some blue suede shoes.

• Roger wants to be trusted by Mrs. Jones, so he makes sure to sit away from the purse and across the room where she can see him if she wants to.

In paragraph 37, Mrs. Jones says "Everybody has something in common." What does she mean?

• What Mrs. Jones means is she was young once, too, even though she is older now.

• What Mrs. Jones means is she had been neglected by her parents, too, which makes her connect with Roger's position.

• What Mrs. Jones means is she agrees with how Roger reacted, because she had stolen things when she was young, too.

• What Mrs. Jones means is that she can relate and understand where Roger is coming from, because she had made mistakes when she was young, too.

Why was Roger unable speak as he was leaving Mrs. Jones home?

• Roger was overcome by emotions from his encounter and the grace shown to him by Mrs. Jones.

• Roger really didn't have anything to say. He just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

• From Roger's perspective, he did not realize Mrs. Jones has shown him kindness.

• Roger had not really learned anything from his encounter with Mrs. Jones. Therefore, he could not think of anything to say.

Which of the following statements best summarizes the short story, "Thank you M'am" by Langston Hughes?

• The story is about Mrs. Jones who had the courage to stand up to a delinquent boy who tried to steal her purse. She taught the boy a lesson he would not soon forget.

• The story is about Roger, a boy who tries to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse. Instead of punishing him, she takes him home, feeds him, and shows kindness, even giving him money for the shoes he wanted. Her compassion teaches Roger a powerful lesson about trust and second chances.

• The story is about Roger, a boy who tries to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse and quickly caught by Mrs. Jones when he tries to run. Mrs. Jones takes the boy home to show him love and care, and also gives him money for the shoes he wanted to buy. It was probably not a good idea to give him money, though.

• The story is about Roger, a boy who tries to steal Mrs. Jones’s purse, and thankfully, gets caught in the act. Instead of punishing him, she takes him home, feeds him, and shows kindness, even giving him money for the shoes he wanted. Her compassion teaches Roger a powerful lesson about trust and second chances.