A Raisin in the Sun Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• How do Beneatha's relationships with Asagai and George Murchison reveal different visions of Black identity?
• Which gift for Mama is described as a gardening hat?
• Which family member wants to use the money to pursue education?
• What is the relationship between Lena and Beneatha?
• Who is the speaker and recipient of the quote: 'I ain't never stop trusting you. Like I ain't never stop loving you'?
• Which two men were planning to speed up the liquor license process by going to Springfield?
• Beneatha says, 'People have to ___________________ themselves one way or another.'
• What is the central source of money that drives the family’s plans?
• When Walter comes in, what does Mama try to tell him... and what does he want to talk about?
• What are the approximate ages of Ruth, Walter, and Beneatha?
• Which character is the moral center who expresses trust and love across the family?
• To Walter, the eggs that Ruth offers represent what?
• The imagery in the title most closely conveys which idea?
• What event triggers the central financial crisis in the Younger family?
• What decision does Mama make about the life insurance money, and why does this cause tension with Walter?
• What does the nickname Alaiyo mean?
• Who is the matriarch of the Younger family?
• Which outcome best illustrates the play's commentary on systemic racism and housing discrimination?
• What do Willy Harris's betrayal and disappearance reveal about the Younger family?
• How does the plant scene function symbolically during Money and Future discussions?
• What gift does Travis get for Mama?
• What job does Travis aspire to have when he is older? Why?
• Which is the sophisticated African boy courting Beneatha?
• What symbolic function does Mama's houseplant serve?
• Describe Mama's role in guiding the family’s decisions and how her faith influences her choices.
• What is the central function of Mama's decision-making in the play?
• What is the name of the association represented by Mr. Lindner?
• How do George Murchison and Joseph Asagai differently critique assimilation?
• Which purchase by Ruth signals preparation for the new home?
• Where did Walter go during the three days he skipped work? Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.
• Name the six members of the Younger family?
• What is the name of the association Mr. Lindner represents?
• Who says, 'It's simple. You read books—to learn facts—to get grades—to pass the course—to get a degree. That's all - it has nothing to do with thoughts'?
• How does language signal class and aspiration within the Younger family?
• Who says to Walter, "I look at you and I see the final triumph of stupidity in the world!"? Who do they say this to?
• Why is the South Side Chicago setting essential to the play's message?
• Which character declares there is no God?
• When Lindner proposes a deal, which statement best describes where authority resides for the Younger family?
• What significant personal circumstance about Ruth adds urgency to the family’s finances?
• Which option best identifies the symbol that enduringly represents the family's dream through transition?
• What does Travis come across while playing outside in Act One?
• How does dialogue reveal internal class and aspiration tensions within the Younger family?
• Who is the child in the Younger family?
• How does the ending function as both a resolution and a challenge?
• What is the significance of buying the house as a moral center for the family?
• Which description best captures the setting's impact on opportunities?
• Why, according to Walter, do people like the Youngers get "tooken"?
• Which characters are described as the most active and central in decision-making, sometimes considered co-protagonists?
• Who is described in Act Three as 'lost, vague, trying to catch hold, to make some sense of her former command of the world...'?
• How does the plant motif reappear as the family prepares to move?
• In what way does the play challenge the American Dream for Black families?
• Act Three begins how many hours after Act Two ends?
• What is Willy Harris's role in the plot, and what happens to the money Walter hopes to invest?
• How does Walter's behavior at the end illuminate his development?
• Which of the following best captures the evolution of the Younger family's values?
• How does Hansberry balance humor with social critique?
• Mama listens to which family member most often?
• Explain the irony in the play's treatment of wealth and security.
• Who says, 'We feel that most of the trouble in this world, when you come right down to it... exists because people just don't sit down and talk to each other'?
• How does the play depict housing discrimination?
• What is Walter Lee's job?
• What is Beneatha surrounded by when she sits at the table at the beginning of Act Three?
• How does Walter refer to his liquor store partners?
• Travis sleeps where?
• Who calls to inform the Youngers that Walter hasn't shown up for work for the past three days?
• What is the reaction of the family members when they see Travis's gift for Mama? What's Mama's reaction?
• Who says, 'Honey, you never say nothing new. I listen to you every day, every night and every morning, and you never say nothing new.'?
• Who is Bobo, and why is his information crucial to the turning point?
• Which statement best describes Lindner's offer in the play?
• What are the Younger family eagerly awaiting in Act One?
• Asagai's thoughts about movement and progress lead him to think of which place?
• In Act Two, Scene One, what business does Mama say she has to tend to?
• What does Mama do with the $6500 remaining from her husband's life insurance?
• What does buying a house symbolize for the family?
• Why is it significant that Ruth visited a female doctor?
• Who is Karl Lindner, and what does his arrival reveal about the play's central conflict?
• Who says, "Me? Me? Me, I'm nothing"?
• What best describes the nature of George and Beneatha's disagreement after their night out?
• What does moving into a new house symbolize for each family member?
• Which character embodies assimilation into white, middle-class norms?
• In Act Three, Walter claims to have made a call to which person?
• In what city do the Youngers live?
• What does the bank account in Walter's name symbolize?
• Which statement best describes Walter's relationship to his father's legacy as depicted in the line about following in his dad's footsteps?
• What gift do Ruth, Walter, and Beneatha get for Mama?
• Which statement best describes the outcome of Mama's allocation of the insurance money?
• Asagai's nickname for Beneatha?
• The shriveled raisin plant symbolizes what?
• Why does Mama make Travis stay in the room during Walter's negotiation with Mr. Lindner?
• Why does Mama get mad at Beneatha after Walter storms out of the room in Act Three?
• Where is the Younger family's new house located, and what is significant about the area?
• Which event marks the turning point that forces the family to confront the reality of their financial setback?
• Who tells Walter that Ruth is pregnant?
• What does the name Alaiyo signify when given to Beneatha?
• Which character says, 'What's the matter, Daddy. You drunk?'
• Which family members contribute to the gift for Mama?
• What is the name of Mama's husband who died?
• What proposition does Mr. Lindner offer to the Youngers?
• What function does Mama’s faith serve in decision-making?
• What word does Mama utter repeatedly after she has found out what Walter has done at the end of Act Two?
• Identify a major plot twist in Act II and its significance for Walter's progress.
• Which character is about thirty years old?
• Mama's maiden name (before marriage) was?
• How does the move shift power dynamics within the family?
• Which statement best describes the play's approach to addressing racism and poverty?
• What is the significance of Walter's remark about Beneatha's dream of becoming a doctor?
• In what decade is A Raisin in the Sun set?
• Which family member is initially in favor of taking Mr. Lindner's deal?
• Which character embodies Africa-centered identity as a counterpoint to assimilation?
• What is Walter's reaction when Beneatha says that Asagai asked her to marry him and go to Africa with him?
• This is the name of Walter Lee's boss?
• To Beneatha, what was the "most marvelous thing in the world" and the equivalent of "truly being God"?
• Why were Bobo and Willy supposed to go to Springfield?
• In Act Three, Walter says he made a phone call to which person?
• Which character's dialogue with Asagai highlights Africa-centered identity and heritage?
• Who describes Walter as 'That is not a man. That is nothing but a toothless rat'?
• Who says the line about holding on to what you have and letting go of some things?
• What is Beneatha's ultimate educational goal, and how does it challenge social norms?
• Which statement best captures the play's critique of the idea that respectable middle-class values guarantee dignity?
• How does Walter Lee define success, and how does this clash with Mama's dream?
• Before leaving the Youngers' house, Mr. Lindner says, 'You just can't force people to _____________ their ______________, son. '
• The plan to confront Lindner reveals that the family chooses to do which of the following?
• How do the various dreams in the play interact or collide as the plot unfolds?
• How does Mama divide the remaining $6,500 from the life insurance check?
• How do stage directions contribute to highlighting social issues?
• Stage directions depict environment to reflect experiences.
• Why does Mama tell Ruth that Walter 'finally come into his manhood today, didn't he?'
• How much is the life insurance check?
• What does Beneatha want to do with the money?
• What central theme is invoked by the play's title in reference to Langston Hughes's poem?
• Who is the author of A Raisin in the Sun?
• Name one external conflict and one internal conflict that drive the plot.
• What best describes the function of the dream motif in decision-making?
• What are the names of the two 'good for nothing clowns' with whom Walter Lee is planning to invest in a liquor store?
• The broader social climate during the era influences the family's decisions by doing what?
• Which character says, "What you ain't never understood is that I ain't got nothing, don't own nothing, ain't never really wanted nothing that wasn't for you. There ain't nothing as precious to me... there ain't nothing worth holding on to, money, dreams, nothing else - if it mean it's going to destroy my boy," and to whom is it spoken?
• Which character blames the Younger family's vulnerability to being "tooken" on their own niceness and morality?
• Which best describes the conflict between Walter's ambition and the rest of the family's needs?
• Mama's real first name is?
• Which character tends a shriveled raisin plant in the home?
• Willy asks Bobo, 'What happened in...' this town (where Bobo was supposed to go with Willy Harris...)?
• Which statement best captures the central conflict of the play?
• The life insurance check is a result of whose death?
• What does Mama's plant symbolize in the play?
• How does the plan to confront Lindner reveal the tension between community belonging and isolation?
• What does Asagai propose as a path for Beneatha's future?
• Which phrase completes Walter's line: 'Baby, don't nothing happen for you in this world less... '?
• Why does Ruth pass out in Act One?
• Who says, 'You just can't force people to change their hearts, son' before leaving the Youngers' house?
• To what location are the Youngers moving in the family's plan?
• What is the Youngers' daily problem every morning?
• Which character asked Beneatha to marry him and go to Africa with him?
• Which factor provides moral grounding and a long-term welfare vision in decision-making?
• The line "I look at you and I see the final triumph of stupidity in the world!" is directed at which character?
• Who ran away with the Youngers' insurance money?
• What is Mama's given name?
• Why does Mama say to Walter Lee, "You making something inside me cry, son. Some awful pain inside me"?
• Who says, 'I bet this time next month y'all's names will have been in the papers plenty - 'NEGROES INVADE CLYBOURNE PARK - BOMBED!'?
• Who says: 'Mama, you know it's all divided up. Life is. Sure enough. Between the takers and the 'tooken'.'
• Which character 'decided long ago to be enthusiastic about EVERYTHING in life'?
• Which character frequently raises concerns about potential racism in the neighborhood and the media?
• On all three days, Walter goes to a local bar called what?
• What's the significance of Mama telling Beneatha, 'Well—I guess you better not waste your time with no fools'?
• Which statement best captures how Walter's failed liquor-store plan affects family power dynamics?
• Which statement about Ruth's pregnancy is correct based on these notes?
• Who is the caregiver of the shriveled plant?
• Why does Mama slap Beneatha in Act One?
• The plant's condition most directly reflects the state of whose dreams?
• How did Bobo know that Willy stole the insurance money?
• What two primary symbols express the themes of dignity and growth?
• Which line captures Walter's view of life as divided between 'takers' and 'tooken'?
• Asagai makes a proposal to Beneatha that includes both marriage and another journey. What are the two actions?
• In which scenes is Beneatha's struggle with identity most evident?
• Why does Mr. Lindner visit the Youngers' house?
• Which character is about twenty years old?
• What central concern about dreams does Beneatha raise in relation to death?
• Which of the following describes the relationship between Walter and Beneatha?
• Who informs Walter Lee that Willy has stolen the money?
• Who is described as the 'good-for-nothing loudmouth' who went into the dry cleaning business and is now grossing a hundred thousand dollars a year?
• The new house is located in Clybourne Park and is described as what kind of town?
• Which character's dream is explicitly described as being to become a doctor?
• How much of the life insurance money goes to Beneatha's medical school costs?
• Which character is chiefly associated with practical concerns about money and opportunity for the family?
• Beneatha's arc addresses gender expectations by which of the following?
• What does Lindner's approach during the visit reveal about the racism the Younger family faces?
• What impractical item did Ruth buy for the new house?
• Who is receiving the life insurance check?
• Which character embodies the attempt to control the family through negotiation and offers a separate, non-economic form of pressure?
• What is Asagai's response to Beneatha saying, "people went out and took the future out of my hands"?
• Explain Mama's last action in the play. What does she do? Why is it significant?
• What purpose does Travis serve in the play?
• Which ending aspect signals ongoing personal development for Walter?
• What business venture does Walter plan to invest in with his partners?
• In what city and era is the play set?
• What do Asagai and Beneatha's conversations reveal about cross-cultural exchange?
• Beneatha is taking ___________ lessons, much to the chagrin of her family members?
• Which character is in their mid-30s?
• Which rich African-American boy courting Beneatha?
• What perspective about Africa and African heritage does Beneatha explore in her interactions with Asagai?
• Who says, "Just sit awhile and think... Never be afraid to sit awhile and think"?
• Asagai invites Beneatha to go with him to which continent?
• What does Asagai propose to Beneatha in Act Three?
• Which character is described as being enthusiastic about EVERYTHING in life?
• Which statement best describes the play's stance on dignity?
• The community's response to the Younger family's plan primarily illustrates which social phenomenon?
• Which statement about dignity and homeownership is accurate?
• Which of the following is not involved in the liquor-license plan?
• Which action best reflects Walter's attempt to assert his manhood through the investment in a house?
• How does the ending frame agency for the Black family in a hostile society?