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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. How did the blacks feel after Claudette's conviction?

2. What did everyone lose interest in except Gray?

3. What did Claudette do?

4. Why did Claudette's family stay up that night?

5. In what state does Claudette Colvin grow up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Robinson remember and what did she begin to do?

2. What did Claudette say was the reason Reeves' conviction changed her life?

3. What did Nesbitt teach Claudette about black history?

4. Why did Claudette decide to rebel and why wouldn't the white woman sit down?

5. With whom did Claudette go to live when she was a baby and what did she call them?

6. How was riding the bus rules set up for black or white persons?

7. How old was Claudette when she found out what happened when blacks acted up against whites and how did she acquire that knowledge?

8. Why didn't Claudette get arrested at the first stop when a policeman came to arrest her?

9. Who was Geraldine Nesbitt, how was she educated and what was her influence on Claudette?

10. What did the police officers say to Claudette in the patrol car?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Claudette was now the center of attention wherever she traveled. Many loved her, but others were angry that she made things harder on others. Claudette faced criminal charges, however, and it was not clear what would happen to her.

1. How do you think you would feel if you became the center of attention for a courageous act? What would you do if this had been you? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think some people were angry at Claudette because they thought she was making things harder on others? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Explain, in depth, why you do or do not think Claudette did anything that could be called criminal. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Claudette had great courage but was not properly recognized for it. It was Claudette who first fought the segregation laws, and it was Claudette who suffered having a blemish on her criminal record that would keep her from getting many ordinary jobs after high school. Claudette endures the taunting and hatred of her classmates who did not want to suffer for their rights as she did. But Claudette remained strong despite it all.

1. What do you think is the definition of courage? What are the ways in which Claudette showed her courage? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think Claudette's classmates gave her such a difficult time? Do you think they felt guilty? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss the reasons you think Claudette stood up for her rights on the bus. Do you think she did it for the recognition? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Claudette had been hidden away and forgotten, if for no other reason than that she had become pregnant out of wedlock and was therefore not only a disgrace to the black community but no longer even close to a suitable face for the movement.

1. Do you think a person is even more of a heroine or hero when she/he does not receive any recognition for an act of bravery? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think the fact that Claudette became pregnant out of wedlock in any way negates the courage of her actions? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think an unwed mother would be seen differently in the present than in Claudette's younger years? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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