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A Lesson Before Dying

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A Lesson Before Dying

Ernest J. Gaines

Quiz

1. Where does this novel take place?

(A) In eastern Mississippi

(B) On a former plantation in Louisiana

(D) Near Gainesville, Florida

2. Why did Grant refuse to go to the trial?

(A) He knew what the outcome would be.

(B) He did not want to sit in the “Negroes” section.

(D) He is spending the weekend with his girlfriend, Vivian.

3. Why does Jefferson say he took the money from the cash register?

(A) Because he needed it and he thought no one would know

(B) Because he forgot that Brother put it in his pocket

(D) Because he wanted to buy his nanna a present

4. What reason does Jefferson's lawyer give for sparing Jefferson's life?

(A) He did not intend to kill anyone.

(B) The children of the town should not have to witness an execution.

(D) He is no better than a fool or a hog.

5. What is Miss Emma's relation to Jefferson?

(A) Older sister

(B) Godmother

(D) Grandmother

6. What does Grant Wiggins teach?

(A) High school

(B) A remedial reading course

(D) Primer through sixth grades

7. Where is Grant's school located?

(A) In the storeroom of a bar

(B) In the church

(D) A block away from the white school

8. What does Louis Rougon want to bet Henri Pichot when Grant visits the Pichot house for the second time?

(A) That the execution will take place before Valentine's Day

(B) That Grant will fail to teach Jefferson anything

(D) That Miss Emma will die within a month of Jefferson's death

9. Why is Vivian reluctant to spend the night with Grant?

(A) She is not yet divorced and her husband might find out.

(B) She is afraid of commitment.

(D) Neither of them lives alone.

10. Why does Miss Emma hit Jefferson during her visit to his cell?

(A) He spits on Reverend Ambrose.

(B) He tells her that he is only a hog being fattened up for the slaughter.

(D) He insults Vivian.

11. Why does Miss Emma want to meet with Jefferson in the dayroom?

(A) She thinks the sun will do him good.

(B) She needs a table on which to serve him food.

(D) She is afraid to be with him in a confined space.

12. Why didn't Vivian's family like her husband?

(A) Because he was poor

(B) Because he was a common laborer

(D) Because he was prone to drinking

13. What event directly follows the superintendent's visit?

(A) The arrival of wood for the winter

(B) The final confirmation of Jefferson's execution date

(D) Grant's mental breakdown

14. How does Grant gather enough money to buy Jefferson a radio?

(A) He borrows from the Claibornes and several other people at the Rainbow Club.

(B) He saves for over a month.

(D) He takes it from Miss Emma's savings.

15. How do Tante Lou and Miss Emma get Grant to visit Jefferson alone?

(A) By offering to pay him

(B) By insisting that Miss Emma is ill

(D) By talking to the superintendent

16. Sheriff Guidry warns Grant that he will lose his visiting privileges if which of the following happens?

(A) There is any sign of aggravation in Jefferson

(B) He doesn't agree to help Guidry control Jefferson

(D) He continues to disrespect the deputies

17. What do Grant's students send Jefferson?

(A) A bag of marbles

(B) A bag of peanuts and pecans

(D) A birthday card

18. At the Christmas program, Reverend Ambrose makes a subtle reference to which of the following?

(A) Grant's faithlessness

(B) Jefferson's false imprisonment

(D) The state of the church

19. Why does Grant get in a fight with two mulatto men in a bar?

(A) They call Vivian a whore.

(B) They call him a nigger.

(D) They run into him when he is in a foul mood.

20. Jefferson admits to Grant that he would like his last meal to be which of the following?

(A) A gallon of vanilla ice cream

(B) A bucket of his godmother's fried chicken

(D) A glass of water

21. How does Grant get Jefferson's notebook?

(A) He asks the sheriff for it after the execution.

(B) He finds it on the ground outside Jefferson's cell.

(D) Tante Lou brings it to his classroom.

22. How does the chair arrive at the courthouse?

(A) On a covered truck

(B) On an old wagon

(D) In a huge crate labeled “Produce”

23. What does the sheriff do the morning of Jefferson's execution?

(A) He takes a long bath.

(B) He asks Grant to attend the proceedings.

(D) He fires Paul.

24. Who shaves Jefferson before the execution?

(A) Murphy

(B) The executioner

(D) Grant

25. Who informs Grant that the execution is over?

(A) Paul the deputy

(B) The executioner

(D) Tante Lou

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A Lesson Before Dying

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