1 To what does the word "yellow" refer? The bean eaters' courage The color of their clothes The bean eaters' complexion The color of the walls 2 In what collection of poetry did "The Bean Eaters" first appear? In the Mecca The Bean Eaters A Street in Bronzeville We Real Cool 3 Which of the following lines is an example of verbal irony? Two who are Mostly Good Dinner is a casual affair As they lean over the beans in their rented back room Plain chipware on a plain and creaking wood 4 Which of the following is NOT scattered about their apartment? Receipts Beads Tobacco crumbs Cigarette butts 5 What is the difference between twinklings and twinges? Twinklings denotes a fond memory and twinges denotes a somehow painful memory. Twinklings denotes a painful memory and twinges denotes a fond memory. They mean pretty much the same thing. Twinkling denotes a memory about their youth and twinges denotes a more recent memory. 6 Why do the poeple in this poem likely eat beans most days? Because they love beans. Because beans reminds them of their younger years. Because beans are a cheap and nutritious food. Because there is an abundance of beans in Chicago. 7 What is the significance of the fact that they rent their room rather than own it? The bean eaters cannot afford to own a house, so the fact that they are renters reminds us that they live in poverty. The bean eaters have been swept aside by society, and because they rent their space, they have to continue to fight for a place of their own. There is no significance, it is merely a coincidence. Because of their sordid past, the bean eaters are not able to own a house in their own names. 8 What is the meaning of the word "chipware"? Chipware is a word invented by Brooks to symbolize the elderly. Chipware is an early type of software used in naval computers. Chipware is a word invented by Brooks to mean "chipped dinnerware." Chipware is what happens to wooden tables when they start to chip. 9 What is the metrical form of "The Bean Eaters"? Anapestic tetrameter Iambic tetrameter Iambic pentameter The poem lacks regular meter 10 What is the rhyme scheme? ABAB BCBC EFF AABA BCDC EFF AABA BCBC EFF AABB CCDD ABA 11 What do the chipped plates and creaking wood symbolize? The aging of the bean eaters. The fact that they don't take care of their stuff. The clumsiness of the bean eaters. The carelessness of the bean eaters. 12 What is the significance of the phrase "Mostly Good"? It tells us that they have guilty consciences. Brooks uses it simply for its sonic quality. It leaves room to imagine the couple as mischievous or rebellious youth. It reminds us that they are imperfect people. 13 What is the effect of the word "Two" in the poem? The use of numbers reminds us that the poem is about aging. It ties the couple into a single unit and blurs their individuality. It mimics the sound of an owl hooting: "Two who, two who" It is the first time we learn how many people are present in the poem. 14 Where does the couple live? In a small house in Chicago. In a two bedroom apartment. On a street in Bronzeville. In a rented back room. 15 What is the significance of "putting on their clothes" and "putting things away"? The lines are ironic, because their place is actually a cluttered mess. The lines demonstrate the monotony of their lives as they age. The lines are a tender exploration of the ways which they help each other. The lines represent the effort to be presentable, despite their limited means. 16 What kind of flatware does the couple use? Aluminum Tin Stainless steel Silver 17 What does Brooks mean when she writes that they "have lived their day"? They have already experienced the prime of their lives. Everyone only gets one best day of their life. They made the most of their time. They just had the best day of their lives. 18 In which stanza are the members of the couple finally addressed as individuals? The first. The second. The third. They are never addressed seperately. 19 What most closely describes the speaker's tone? Angry, fervent, passionate Airy, nonchalant, dispassionate Nervous, anxious, clammy Sad, somber, depressed 20 Which of the following contains alliteration? Dinner is a casual affair. Tin flatware. Two who are Mostly Good. Remembering, with twinklings and twinges, 21 When was the poem first published in print? 1959 in Poetry magazine 1968 in In the Mecca 1960 in The Bean Eaters 1991 in Report from Part One 22 Which publishing company first published the collection by the same name? Riverhead Broadside Press Harpers Penguin 23 In which category does D.H. Melhem place "The Bean Eaters" in the context of the entire collection? Miscellaneous Social (relational) Political (current) Political (general) 24 The bean eaters are... An agining Black couple who, despite living in poverty, finds ways to have excitement in their lives. A couple in Bronzeville who won the lottery but still eats beans every night to keep them humble. A couple who believes in the magic properties of beans to turn them young again. An aging Black couple who copes with their boredom by reminiscing about their younger years. 25 A twinge is a... Moral or emotional pang. A small, flexible branch from a tree. A sparkle on the surface of water. A type of ornamental shredding on the edge of a fabric.
