Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston

How does Sykes feel about Delia and her work?

• He teases her about her work but secretly appreciates it.

• He believes she should wash black folks’ clothes as well.

• He pushes her to prioritize religion above financial gain.

• .He disapproves of her work and treats her with malice.

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Why has Delia worked as a wash-woman for the last fifteen years?

• She wants Sykes to recognize her as a capable wife.

• She fears Sykes and does whatever he tells her to do.

• She supports both herself and her husband financially.

• She and Sykes do not share their income with each other.

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How has Delia changed over time?

• She has become more lovely with old age.

• She has become much bolder, like Bertha.

• She has grown cynical because life never gave her a chance to love.

• She has grown emotionally independent from her husband.

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Which of the following is NOT an opinion expressed by the men on Joe’s porch?

• Sykes is a worthless man who mistreats his wife.

• Sykes is an arrogant man who deserves a beating.

• Sykes is a violent man who has killed three women.

• Sykes is a lustful man who has grown tired of his wife.

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Which of the following best describes Delia’s feelings toward Bertha?

• Delia believes she can win Bertha’s sympathy by pretending to be blind and deaf.

• Delia has no desire to engage with Bertha and does not care to hear the village gossip.

• Delia envies Bertha because Bertha does not need to work for her own living.

• Delia knows that Sykes has been lying to Bertha about his wealth and therefore pities her.

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Which of the following is NOT a claim that Sykes makes?

• His skill as a snake charmer helped him capture the rattler.

• He cares about the rattler, whereas Delia does not.

• He charms rattlers with food rather than a hickory club.

• He knows more about rattlers than the other villagers do.

Based on Delia and Sykes’ argument, one can infer that…

• Delia once reported Sykes to the authorities.

• Delia has never called Sykes a “suck-egg dog.”

• in the past, Sykes always had the last word.

• in the past, Sykes controlled Delia with violence.

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Which of the following is NOT an emotional state that Delia experiences after discovering the snake?

• panic

• remorse

• resignation

• resentment

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What can we infer based on Sykes’ actions when he returns to the house?

• He expected the snake to escape.

• He deliberately let the snake out.

• He knows exactly where the snake is.

• He’s calm because he can charm snakes.

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Which of the following best explains why Delia doesn’t assist Sykes?

• After all that Sykes has done, she feels no pity for him.

• In spite of Sykes’ piteous state, she no longer cares about him.

• She knows that Sykes cannot possibly be saved.

• She is dying from her shock and can hardly see or move.

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