View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When does the narrator in "The Lake" first find the lake?

2. What does Johnny B remember about when Ukie died?

3. Who is the protagonist of "Harlem"?

4. What do the men want to harvest in "Six Days You Shall Labor"?

5. What event does the general want a de-fogging before?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do both the devil and God want to consult repeatedly in the story "Devil Bird"?

2. Why is Carl looking for work in "The Distributors"?

3. What does Carl think is strange about the interview process in "The Distributors"?

4. In "Thrust Counter Thrust," how does Saul lose his eye?

5. How does Saul's inability to enlist in the army in "Thrust Counter Thrust" affect his feelings about Lon's death?

6. In "Rope of Wind," why do the white men kill Mr. Westland?

7. In "Six Days You Shall Labor," what do Big Mo and the others do after being told not to pick the pecans?

8. In "Thrust Counter Thrust," how does Saul feel about Lon's death in Korea?

9. In "The University of Man," why does Tyros take his journey?

10. What does Mr. Westland ask Johnny B to tell his son?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What elements of magical realism can you identify and explain throughout this collection? 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

How does Dumas treat the plot event of characters being pursued and in fear throughout this collection, and what does he repeatedly use this event for character development and for building tension? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 627 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample