Thank You, Ma'am – MCQs (25 Questions)
Choose the correct option for each question.
-
Who is the author of "Thank You, M'am"?
a) James Baldwin
b) Langston Hughes
c) Ralph Ellison
d) Richard Wright -
In what year was the story originally published?
a) 1954
b) 1956
c) 1958
d) 1960 -
What is the full name of the woman in the story?
a) Mrs. Luella Bates
b) Mrs. Jones Washington
c) Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones
d) Mrs. Bates Jones -
What is the boy's name?
a) Robert
b) Roger
c) Ronald
d) Raymond -
What does Roger attempt to steal from Mrs. Jones?
a) Her shoes
b) Her wallet
c) Her purse
d) Her jewelry -
Why does the purse strap snap during the theft attempt?
a) Roger pulls it too hard
b) It is old and weak
c) The purse is so heavy that his weight causes it to break
d) Mrs. Jones deliberately breaks it -
Why does Roger want to steal the purse?
a) He wants money for food
b) He wants money for a pair of blue suede shoes
c) He wants money for school supplies
d) He wants money to help his family -
What does Mrs. Jones do when she catches Roger?
a) Calls the police immediately
b) Beats him severely
c) Drags him to her home instead of turning him in
d) Lectures him on the street -
Where does Mrs. Jones work?
a) A school
b) A hospital
c) A hotel beauty shop
d) A restaurant -
What time of day does Mrs. Jones work?
a) Early morning
b) Late night
c) Afternoon shift
d) Evening shift -
What does Mrs. Jones do when Roger is first brought to her home?
a) Makes him sit down
b) Asks him to wash his face
c) Gives him food immediately
d) Calls for help -
What does Roger initially think will happen to him?
a) Mrs. Jones will give him money
b) Mrs. Jones will call the police and he will go to jail
c) Mrs. Jones will make him work
d) Mrs. Jones will beat him -
What is the first opportunity Roger has to run away from Mrs. Jones?
a) When entering her home
b) When she lets go of him after bringing him in
c) When she sends him to wash his face
d) During dinner -
What does Mrs. Jones share about her own past?
a) She was a thief
b) She wanted things she could not have and did things of which she is ashamed
c) She was abandoned by her family
d) She spent time in jail -
What meal does Mrs. Jones prepare for Roger?
a) Just bread and water
b) A simple but hearty meal
c) Expensive restaurant food
d) Dessert only -
What does Mrs. Jones warn Roger about regarding the blue suede shoes?
a) They will wear out quickly
b) They will burn his feet
c) They are too expensive
d) They will get dirty -
How much money does Mrs. Jones give Roger at the end?
a) Five dollars
b) Eight dollars
c) Ten dollars
d) Fifteen dollars -
What does Mrs. Jones tell Roger NOT to do anymore?
a) Dream about things
b) Steal from her or anyone else
c) Go out at night
d) Speak disrespectfully -
What is Roger's emotional state as he leaves Mrs. Jones's home?
a) Angry and resentful
b) Sad and disappointed
c) Grateful but unable to fully express it in words
d) Confused and uncertain -
What does the title "Thank You, M'am" symbolize?
a) Simple politeness
b) Genuine gratitude and recognition of kindness that changed his life
c) Formal manners
d) Sarcasm and mockery -
Which of these is the main theme of the story?
a) Crime does not pay
b) Punishment reforms criminals
c) Kindness and compassion can transform a person
d) Wealth solves all problems -
What does Roger's decision to wash his face instead of running indicate?
a) He is physically dirty
b) He is beginning to trust Mrs. Jones and accept her authority
c) He is afraid to disobey
d) He is a naturally obedient person -
What does the story suggest about the cause of crime among youth?
a) Young people are naturally evil
b) Economic hardship and lack of guidance can lead youth to crime
c) Crime is genetic and cannot be changed
d) All young criminals are beyond redemption -
What is significant about Mrs. Jones sharing her own failures with Roger?
a) It makes her look bad
b) It helps Roger feel less alone and creates empathy and connection between them
c) It confuses Roger
d) It is irrelevant to the story -
What does the story demonstrate about second chances?
a) Nobody deserves a second chance
b) Second chances are effective only for wealthy people
c) Everyone deserves an opportunity to do better and change their ways
d) Second chances never work
Answer Key
i) b – Langston Hughes
ii) c – 1958
iii) c – Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones
iv) b – Roger
v) c – Her purse
vi) c – The purse is so heavy that his weight causes it to break
vii) b – He wants money for a pair of blue suede shoes
viii) c – Drags him to her home instead of turning him in
ix) c – A hotel beauty shop
x) b – Late night
xi) b – Asks him to wash his face
xii) b – Mrs. Jones will call the police and he will go to jail
xiii) c – When she sends him to wash his face
xiv) b – She wanted things she could not have and did things of which she is ashamed
xv) b – A simple but hearty meal
xvi) b – They will burn his feet
xvii) c – Ten dollars
xviii) b – Steal from her or anyone else
xix) c – Grateful but unable to fully express it in words
xx) b – Genuine gratitude and recognition of kindness that changed his life
xxi) c – Kindness and compassion can transform a person
xxii) b – He is beginning to trust Mrs. Jones and accept her authority
xxiii) b – Economic hardship and lack of guidance can lead youth to crime
xxiv) b – It helps Roger feel less alone and creates empathy and connection between them
xxv) c – Everyone deserves an opportunity to do better and change their ways