The Piano Lesson

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Act I

Reading Check

1. How are Berniece, Boy Willie, and Doaker related?

2. Where did Boy Willie and Lymon travel to and from in the truck?

3. What have Boy Willie and Lymon loaded their truck with?

4. What does Boy Willie want to buy with the money from selling the piano?

5. What does Berniece see at the top of the stairs?

6  Where did Avery get the inspiration to become a preacher?

7. How did Wining Boy learn about the death of Cleotha, his late wife?

8. Where did the men learn the song “Berta, Berta,” which they all sing together?

9. According to Boy Willie and Lymon, what did Crawley do that led directly to his death?

10. Who screams suddenly at the end of Act I?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. According to Boy Willie, what happened to Sutter and who did it?

2. Why did Lymon buy the truck in the first place?

3. What does Berniece think happened to Sutter, and why?

4. What has Berniece told Maretha about the carvings on the piano?

5. What does Boy Willie tell Doaker he will do to the piano if Berniece refuses to sell it?

6.