logo

87 pages 2 hours read

The Piano Lesson

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1987

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Exam Questions

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.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 87 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools