The Wife Of His Youth

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. The narrator notes, “[T]he society was a life-boat, an anchor, a bulwark and a shield, a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, to guide their people through the social wilderness” (Part 1). Which of the following literary terms does the narrator use in this quote?

A) Metaphor

B) Simile

C) Personification

D) Allegory

2. Which of the following words best describes Mr. Ryder’s work ethic and capabilities?

A) Consistently nonchalant

B) Upwardly mobile

C) Considerably lackadaisical

D) Unabashedly traverse

3. In addition to its primary function, what is the secondary purpose of Mr. Ryder’s ball?

A) To teach Mrs. Dixon a valuable lesson in the etiquette of the society

B) To raise money for the orphaned children of Groveland

C) To re-establish social standards that he believes are waning

D) To display his exorbitant amount of wealth to the society members

4. What does Mr. Ryder’s knowledge of Alfred Lord Tennyson imply about his background?

A) That he is preoccupied with the British monarchy

B) That he is interested in historical American poets

C) That he is educated and well-read

D) That he is complicit with the Chartist movement

5. What does Liza’s story reveal about race relations in pre-Reconstruction South?

A) That enslavers were respectful of enslaved people’s decisions

B) That emancipated people had a relatively easy experience adapting to their new life

C) That some enslavers were advocates for human rights and equality

D) That many enslavers were not concerned with their workers’ freedom

6. In her story, Liza refers to being “sol’ down de ribber” (Part 2). Although Liza uses this phrase literally, what does this phrase refer to in contemporary society?

A) To be shunned

B) To be betrayed

C) To be supported

D) To be loved

7. Why did Mr. Ryder tell the story to the guests at the ball?

A) He sought acceptance from the community in the North.

B) He wanted affirmation that he had done well to forget his past.

C) He needed acknowledgement that he was a charitable and benevolent host.

D) He hoped for alms for the cost of his event.

8. Which of the following points is Chesnutt making about race relations in the US?

A) Upward mobility will inevitably lead to the division of races.

B) Community building is a form of Communism.

C) Unity should be the goal for Black communities.

D) Political involvement is essential for long-term change.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What is the meaning of the title? When is the meaning revealed to the reader?