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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. Who walks with Bubba and his sister in "The Crossing"?

2. Who does the music of the afro-horn kill?

3. What does Layton plan to, but then never give, the object of his affection in "A Boll of Roses"?

4. What state does Layton live in?

5. What weapon does Nillmon carry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Layton waiting for in "Goodbye, Sweetwater"?

2. What seems to be the purpose of the work the men on the ark do in "Ark of Bones"?

3. Who saves Fon from lynching in "Fon"?

4. In "Ark of Bones," what is Headeye known for?

5. Why does Mack hurt himself at the end of "A Harlem Game"?

6. How do the police treat the main characters in "Strike and Fade"?

7. What is the reason the story "Double Nigger" is so titled?

8. What does Nillmon intend to do to Fon in "Fon"?

9. What are Layton Fields' aspirations in "A Boll of Roses"?

10. Why does Layton's grandmother tell him to give the white man who comes to collect money the good water in "Goodbye, Sweetwater"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think Dumas means to communicate to the reader in the story Harlem through Harold's passive observation of all that goes on around him? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

What relationship does Dumas draw between the topics of frustration, oppression, and racism in this collection? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Though many of Dumas's characters in the collection are oppressed and terribly wronged, many others exhibit power, wit, and strength. Write an essay discussing the sources of Dumas's characters' dominance where and when it exists.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 561 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample