Thank You Ma'am and a Police Stop

What is the meaning of this line from "Thank You, M'am"? He did not trust the woman not to trust him.

• Roger knows he has hurt Mrs. Jones and feels unworthy of her trust.

• Roger hopes that Mrs. will trust him so he can take advantage of her.

• Roger hopes that Mrs. Jones does not trust him.

• Roger has grown to trust Mrs. Jones and hopes that she trusts him, too.

Answer explanation

This line indicates that Roger has developed a sense of trust towards Mrs. Jones, despite his past actions. He hopes she feels the same way, reflecting his growth and desire for a genuine connection.

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.

Answer explanation

The line indicates that Roger lacks basic care and supervision, as he has no one to remind him to wash his face. This suggests he is neglected at home, highlighting a lack of parental guidance or attention.

After getting Roger to her home in “Thank You, M’am,” how does Mrs. Jones show that she trusts Roger?

• She asks him to wash his face.

• She tells him her full name and address.

• She tells her neighbors to keep their doors open.

• She leaves out her purse when she makes dinner.

Answer explanation

Mrs. Jones shows her trust in Roger by leaving her purse out while making dinner, indicating she believes he won't steal from her. This act demonstrates her confidence in his character despite their initial encounter.

After Mrs. Jones tells Roger that he could simply have asked for the shoes, "the boy looked at her. There was a long pause. A very long pause." What does this pause show about Roger?

• He is surprised, touched, and confused by her offer.

• He is growing ever more suspicious of her.

• He is so unused to washing his face that he forgets to dry it.

• He is waiting for the right moment to run out of the house.

Answer explanation

The long pause indicates that Roger is surprised and touched by Mrs. Jones' unexpected kindness, as he is not accustomed to such offers. His confusion reflects his struggle to understand her genuine intentions.

In “Thank You, M’am,” what two words best describe Mrs. Jones?

• Dismissive

• Generous

• Mean

• Rich

• Outspoken

Answer explanation

Mrs. Jones is best described as generous for helping the boy after he tried to steal from her, showing compassion. She is also outspoken, as she directly communicates her thoughts and values to him during their interaction.

Which of the following best summarizes the meaning of this passage? The boy wanted to say something other than, Thank you, m'am, to Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, but he couldn't do so as he turned at the barren stoop and looked back at the large woman in the door.

• Roger realized how inadequate a mere thank you was for all Mrs. Jones had done for him.

• Roger wanted to say something nasty to Mrs. Jones, but he restrained himself.

• Roger did not really want to thank Mrs. Jones because he felt that she forced him to go with her.

• Roger had planned to say something, but it completely escaped his mind.

Answer explanation

The passage shows Roger's struggle to express gratitude to Mrs. Jones, indicating he feels that a simple 'thank you' is insufficient for her kindness, which aligns with the correct answer.

In “Thank You, M’am,” what is the most likely reason Roger decides to wash his face rather than run away in paragraph 25?

• He wants Mrs. Jones to give him dinner.

• He is confused by the way Mrs. Jones is acting.

• He is sure that Mrs. Jones will call the police.

• He is waiting for a chance to steal from Mrs. Jones.

Answer explanation

Roger decides to wash his face instead of running away because he is confused by Mrs. Jones' unexpected kindness and behavior, which makes him reconsider his actions.

By the end of the story, you know that Roger ....

• is selfish

• is a quiet, honest boy at heart

• thinks the world owes him something

• has a criminal mind

Answer explanation

By the end of the story, Roger's actions reveal his true nature as a quiet, honest boy at heart, despite his initial circumstances. This choice highlights his underlying goodness rather than any negative traits.

What is the significance of the setting in “Thank You, M’am” when Roger is taken to Mrs. Jones’s home?

• It highlights the economic disparity between them.

• It creates a sense of safety and warmth.

• It emphasizes the danger Roger is in.

• It shows the wealth of Mrs. Jones.

Answer explanation

The setting in Mrs. Jones's home creates a sense of safety and warmth for Roger, contrasting with his earlier life. It shows her kindness and willingness to help him, which is crucial for his character development.

Read the sentence from paragraph 37 of “Thank You, M’am.” “You might run that comb through your hair so you will look presentable.” The suffixes -able and -ible mean “capable or worthy of.” What does the word presentable mean as it is used in this sentence?

• Worthy of introduction to others

• Capable of adjusting appearance

• Worthy of the time of someone else

• Capable of combing hair

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'presentable' means capable of adjusting appearance, indicating that one should look neat and tidy. This aligns with the context of using a comb to improve one's look before meeting others.