Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

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

Multiple Choice

1. What role does Irvin play with regard to Sturdyvant and the band?

A) Intermediary between cultures

B) Legal adviser

C) Marketing manager

D) Craft service agent

2. What is the significance of the music markets Sturdyvant and Irvin cite, including Harlem, Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta?

A) Cities with East and West Coast locations

B) Cities with segregation

C) Cities with blues musicians

D) Cities with large Black populations

3. Why is it significant that “Moonshine Blues” is one of Bessie’s songs?

A) If it’s Bessie Smith’s song, then Ma could be sued.

B) If it’s Bessie Smith’s song, then it isn’t Ma’s.

C) If it’s Bessie Smith’s song, then she needs to sign off on its use.

D) If it’s Bessie Smith’s song, then they should use Bessie’s band.

4. In what way are Levee’s shoes symbolic?

A) They represent musical skill.

B) They represent his manhood.

C) They represent social mobility.

D) They represent his youth.

5. Why does Ma want Sylvester in the band?

A) She knows she won’t have to pay him.

B) She uses her success to help her family.

C) She wants to replace Levee with Sylvester.

D) She wants to add a fifth member to the band.

6. Why does Levee admire his father?

A) He likes the way his father protected his mother without harming anyone.

B) He believes his father had good business sense when he sold the farm.