Everyday Use - Comprehension Questions

Which of the following best describes the story “Everyday Use”?

• It is the story of a new marriage.

• It is the story of a house that burns down.

• It is the story of a young woman’s return home.

• It is the story of a young man meeting his in-laws.

In “Everyday Use,” how does Maggie look forward to Dee’s visit?

• with anticipation and confidence

• with nervousness and awe

• with excitement and scorn

• with dread and despair

In “Everyday Use,” why doesn’t Dee bring her friends home?

• She has no friends.

• Her friends embarrass her.

• She does not like her family.

• She is ashamed of her poverty.

In “Everyday Use,” why does Dee embrace an African language and choose a new name for herself?

• It is the only language she knows.

• She wants to be closer to her heritage.

• Her new name was her great-grandmother’s name.

Who gets to keep the quilts at the end of "Everyday Use"?

• Hakim-a-barber

• the narrator

• Maggie

• Dee

What does the word furtive mean in the following sentence? Use context clues to help you. The boys were furtive, hiding in the bushes, when they came around looking for Dee.

• visible

• sneaky

• oppressive

• comfortable

Which of these emotions would most likely cause a person to be cowering?

• fear or shame

• arrogance or pride

• joy or exhilaration

• anger or resentment

What does the narrator of 'Everyday Use' mean by saying that Dee would prefer her to have 'skin like an uncooked barley pancake'?

• skin that is moist and smooth

• skin that is soft and sticky

• skin that is fresh smelling

• skin that is light in color

Part A: In 'Everyday Use,' what do the details indicate was the cause of Maggie’s scars?

• She was burned in a house fire.

• She was injured in a car accident.

• She cut herself badly while making quilts.

• She was badly scratched in a childhood fight with Dee.

In 'Everyday Use,' why does Dee (Wangero) want the quilts that were made with scraps from her grandparents’ old clothes?

• She greatly admires the relatives who made them.

• She has nostalgic memories of using the quilts in childhood.

• She wants to display them instead of using them as bedding.

• She is jealous of her sister and wants to deny Maggie her inheritance.