Mrs. Flowers Comprehension Check

1. What is the setting of this story? A A city in Arkansas B Rural Arkansas C Mrs. Flowers’s house in Arkansas D A house, school, store, and church

2. The narrator says Mrs. Flowers is an aristocrat because — A she doesn’t carry her own packages from the store B she has pretty clothes C her home is big and filled with pretty things D she is in control of herself and doesn’t encourage familiarity

3. Mrs. Flowers says and does several things that impress Marguerite. Which of the following is not something that Marguerite learned that day? A That reading out loud can help her learn to sing B That language separates human beings from animals C That reading out loud can be so musical D That the human voice infuses words with their meanings

4. How does Marguerite feel when Mrs. Flowers reads? A Confused B Enchanted C Bored D Upset that her brother isn’t there

5. What are Mrs. Flowers’s most important gifts to Marguerite? A Books and reading-aloud lessons B Poetry and cookies C Respect and life lessons D Sophistication and attention \ 6. What is Mrs. Flowers’s motivation for paying attention to Marguerite? A She wants all the children in Black Stamps to be literate. B She is determined to improve Marguerite’s appearance. C She wants to help out Marguerite’s grandmother, Momma. D She wants to help Marguerite by giving her special attention.

7. Overall, how does Mrs. Flowers affect Marguerite? A She makes Marguerite nervous about borrowing her books. B She makes Marguerite feel liked and respected. C Marguerite is overwhelmed by her. D She makes Marguerite want to become sophisticated. 8. Which of the following is an example of a simile? A. She had the grace of control. B. She had a private breeze. C. Mrs. Flowers was the aristocrat of Black Stamps. D. I sopped around the house, the Store, the school, and the church, like an old biscuit, dirty and inedible

9. What motivates Mrs. Flowers to ask Marguerite to carry her packages? A. Mrs. Flowers does not want Baily to come to her house. B. Marguerite was available, Baily was not. C. She wants to speak with Marguerite D. She is accepting Momma’s offer to send Marguerite.

10. How does Marguerite react when Mrs. Flowers reads? A. Confused B. Bored C. Upset D. Enchanted

Constructed Response Question – Please answer completely in the space provided:

How is Mrs. Flowers able to get Marguerite to speak? Discuss Marguerite’s motivation for doing so. Use examples from the text to support your answer.