The Piano Lesson

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

Multiple Choice

1. Why is Lymon planning to stay in Pittsburgh rather than returning to Mississippi with Boy Willie?

A) He is leaving his pregnant wife.

B) Pittsburgh is where he was born.

C) His entire family died in Mississippi.

D) The sheriff is looking to arrest him.

2. What does Boy Willie promise to buy for Maretha after he sells the piano?

A) A house

B) A guitar

C) A dress

D) A puppy

3. When talking behind Berniece’s back, what do Doaker and Wining Boy say that she ought to do?

A) Marry Avery

B) Keep the piano

C) Discipline Maretha

D) Let Boy Willie stay

4. What will Lymon have to do if he is caught back in Mississippi?

A) Go to prison

B) Support his child

C) Work for free

D) Pay his taxes

5. What happened after Doaker saw Sutter’s ghost?

A) The piano moved on its own.

B) The piano turned bright red.

C) The piano played by itself.

D) The piano started to glow.

6. What does Avery think Berniece should do with the piano?

A) Bring it to church and start a choir

B) Sell it and put the money in his church

C) Let it go and let Boy Willie take it

D) Return it to the Sutter family

7. Why did Grace go home with Boy Willie instead of Lymon?

A) She didn’t like the perfume Lymon offered.

B) Lymon decided that Berniece was prettier.

C) Grace thought that his silk suit was ugly.

D) Boy Willie approached her first at the bar.

8. Why can’t Boy Willie and Lymon take the piano to the truck?

A) They can’t move it.

B) Doaker blocks their way.

C) Berniece shoots at them.

D) It breaks when they lift it.

9. What happens when Avery tries to bless the house and exorcize Sutter’s ghost?

A) The ghost slams him hard against the wall.

B) He realizes that he isn’t powerful enough.

C) He is possessed by the ghost, who laughs.

D) The ghost chases him out of the house.

10. What happens to the piano at the end of the play?

A) Sutter’s ghost smashes it.

B) Boy Willie takes it.

C) Berniece sells it.

D) It stays where it is.

Long Answer

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

1. Why has Berniece kept Maretha from knowing the history of the piano?

2. Why does Boy Willie decide to leave without trying to take the piano?