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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 does Cy's mother say about the sun's light?

2. What amazes Cy?

3. What do Cy, Jonty and Morris seek?

4. What regularly claims victims among children and tourists?

5. How does Cy's routine begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What marks Cy's transition from boyhood to manhood?

2. Describe Cy's first encounter with Riley.

3. What convinces Cy that the first part of his life has ended?

4. How does Reeda die and how does this affect Cy?

5. Describe Riley's death and Cy's response.

6. How does Cy's mother Reeda respond to his possible apprenticeship with Riley?

7. How do Riley's and Cy's styles differ when starting a job on a client?

8. How does the topic of sex give Cy some not-so-great memories?

9. What does Riley tell Cy about Michelangelo?

10. How does Cy's apprenticeship fare and what is an important lesson Cy learns?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In part 1, it is revealed that Reeda Parks nurses dying TB patients and also assists her friend in performing abortions. This dual occupation could be considered ironic for several reasons. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Define the concept of irony.

2. Why could Reeda's two occupations be considered ironic? Use examples and detail in your explanation.

3. There are a number of ironic instances in the story. Go through the text and find several instances of ironic thoughts, statements, or events and explain the situation and why you believe it to be ironic.

Essay Topic 2

In Part 2, "History's Ink," Malcolm Sedak pours acid upon Grace. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. What foreshadowing is there to warn the readers of the scene at the opening to "History's Ink" when Grace is horribly attacked? Give examples and why you think the examples foreshadow the event. Do you think something as intense as this scene needs to be foreshadowed? Why or why not?

2. Discuss the various responses to the attack. Was Claudia justified in beating Sedak? How about Henry giving Grace morphine or Cy believing he has to stay in the hospital or Grace will die? What do you think was Grace's thoughts about it as she lies in the hospital?

Essay Topic 3

As Cy is working for Riley after his mother has died, Cy continues to judge life by Reeda's standards for many years after she dies. Eventually, he begins to judge life by Riley's standards. After he has moved to Brooklyn and lives in a world of which Riley nor Reeda know anything, their ideas still greatly influence his interpretations of the life around him. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Discuss how Riley's influence is still a large part of Cy's life in America.

2. Discuss how his mother's ideas inform Cy's adult life--be sure to include specific examples.

3. At what point in Cy's life does Cy begin formulating his own ideas about life? Give examples. Do Reeda's and Riley's influence ever completely fade out of Cy's mind?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,502 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample