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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word from Chapter 5 refers to humor or frivolity, especially in the treatment of a serious matter?

2. What word from Chapter 5 means censored or obscured?

3. How many individuals were indicted for conspiracy of several hate crimes against African Americans, including James Craig Anderson, committed from the spring of 2011 to March 2012?

4. What word from Chapter 5 refers to a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts?

5. Where is the author when she describes a man showing her a picture of his wife in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What theme is explored when the narrator describes her experience in the drug store in Chapter 5?

2. How does the narrator describe overcoming her inner struggle in the conclusion of Chapter 5?

3. How is the theme of the pain of prejudice explored in Chapter 6?

4. How are "words" presented in Chapter 5?

5. How does the author juxtapose the reality of Hurrican Katrina victims with their depiction in the media?

6. Why does the author discuss eating cereal in Chapter 5?

7. What is an example of irony in Chapter 5? How does this example serve the work?

8. How does the author compare the Rodney King beating and the death of Mark Duggan in Chapter 6?

9. What does the author say regarding questions and answers in Chapter 6?

10. What does Hurricane Katrina symbolize for the author?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the murder of James Craig Anderson. When and where was James Craig Anderson murdered? Who killed him? How? What were the impacts of James Craig Anderson's murder?

Essay Topic 2

Define "microagression" and discuss how this term applies to Citizen: An American Lyric. Who coined this term? How does it apply in the different scenarios presented by the author? What are your experiences with microagressions?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author use sunglasses as a symbolic image in the book? What do the sunglasses represent? How are they a metaphor for prejudice and/or overlooking prejudice?

(see the answer keys)

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