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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What bothers the author about artists like Michael Jackson?
(a) He used cosmetic surgery to appeal to a white fanbase.
(b) He did not finish what he started.
(c) His lyrics are without meaning.
(d) He represents the nonviolent black man.

2. What important skills did the author's mother teach him?
(a) How to read and write.
(b) How to cook and clean his clothes.
(c) How to pray.
(d) How to stretch a dollar.

3. What realization does the author have about his university education?
(a) It was designed to break down myths and reveal the truth about humanity.
(b) It was going to provide him with the skills to be a great writer.
(c) He was never going to learn everything he needed to know.
(d) It was a pointless as his public school education.

4. What has been the prevalent emotion in the author's life?
(a) Hope.
(b) Anger.
(c) Fear.
(d) Joy.

5. The author views the school systems and the streets as:
(a) The different universes.
(b) Two warring nations.
(c) Opposite ends of a pole.
(d) Arms of the same beast.

6. At what age does the author remember witnessing his first street fight?
(a) Ten.
(b) 18.
(c) 12.
(d) Five.

7. How did the author's father react when another boy stole something from the author?
(a) His father beat him.
(b) His father confronted the thief's grandfather.
(c) His father called the police.
(d) His father confronted the thief.

8. According to the author, what is the purpose of defining races of people?
(a) To form a hierarchy in society.
(b) To instill a sense of cultural pride.
(c) To identify people groups.
(d) To define culture.

9. According to the author, who controls the streets of Baltimore?
(a) The students.
(b) The parents.
(c) The police.
(d) The crews.

10. According to the author, America believes itself to be:
(a) Pure.
(b) Understanding.
(c) Peaceful.
(d) Exceptional.

11. Where does the author begin his memoir?
(a) In a bar.
(b) During a riot.
(c) During an interview.
(d) At an auction.

12. What poet inspired the author while at Howard University?
(a) Jack Kerouac.
(b) Robert Frost.
(c) Robert Hayden.
(d) Maya Angelou.

13. What field did the author pursue after he left Howard University?
(a) Music.
(b) Journalism.
(c) Bookselling.
(d) Archaeology.

14. Whom did the girl with the long dreads love?
(a) The Author.
(b) Maya Angelou.
(c) Malcom X.
(d) Prince Jones.

15. How did the author spend most of his time at The Mecca?
(a) Listening to and writing poetry.
(b) Absorbing culture and music.
(c) Reading and taking notes on black literature and essays.
(d) Arguing politics on the Lawn.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did the author's father discipline him?

2. As a child, what baffled the author about the nonviolent protests of the civil rights moment?

3. Where did the author meet the mother of his son?

4. The author admires Malcolm X because he never:

5. What did the girl with the long dreads teach the author?

(see the answer keys)

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