Read the Excerpt from Thank You Ma'am

What does Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones mean when she says, "shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet?"

• She means getting shoes that way will hurt your feet and that Roger should find another way to get the shoes.

• She means getting things through dishonest means will have equally as bad consequences.

• She means Roger will get in trouble for what he has done.

How does Roger's perspective about life and people change after his encounter with Mrs. Jones?

• Roger learns that it's wrong to steal and probably never steals again.

• Roger's outlook was negative. It became more positive after meeting Mrs. Jones. Before, he probably thought life was hard and people were uncaring. Afterwards, he learned that life is more complex.

• Roger's outlook was negative. It became more positive after meeting Mrs. Jones. The encounter made him view life as an opportunity to use people like unfeeling pawns to help him get to the next level in life.

Make an Inference: Why does Roger want to go to the store for Mrs. Jones?

• Roger wants to use it as an opportunity to finally escape.

• Roger wants to repay her kindness by doing something nice.

• Roger wants to take the money and buy some shoes.

Recall: What happens when Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones's purse?

• Mrs. Jones shakes him until his teeth begin to rattle.

• Roger gets away and runs into the cops on the next block.

• The strap breaks from the tug Roger gives it and he falls to the ground holding it.

In "Thank you, Ma'm", how does Mrs. Jones meet Roger?

• at school career day
  
• at a church social
• when she tries to break up a street fight between Roger and his friend
• when he tries to steal her purse

Which of the following words best describes Mrs. Jones's reaction to being surprised by Roger?

• delight
• confusion
• fear
• anger

What reason does Roger give for his action?

• He is out for kicks.
• He wants a new bicycle.
• He wants a new pair of blue suede shoes.
• He needs lunch money for school.

What do these lines show about Roger? "Ain't you got nobody to tell you to wash your face?" "No'm," said the boy.

• He is shy.
• He is neglected at home.
• He has trouble telling the truth.
• He has a good sense of humor.

What do these lines indicate about Mrs. Jones? Then it [Roger's face] will get washed this evening, said the large woman starting up the street, dragging the boy behind her.

• She is a stickler for cleanliness.
• She is a bossy woman.
• She is concerned about Roger.
• She is a professional psychic.

What does Mrs. Jones do when the boy struggles to get away?

• She jerks him around in front of her, wrestles him with one arm, and drags him up the street.
• She shouts very loudly for help, frightening the boy into staying at her side.
• She warns him that she will call the police and that they will track him down.
• She hits him over the head and knocks him to the ground.