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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. The sisters believed that _____ was the closest they would ever get to heaven on earth.

2. Bessie remarks that the Civil Rights Movement suffered from ______ after Martin Luther King, Jr. died.

3. Bessie objects to which of the following due to her age?

4. What was the cause of Manross' death?

5. In what year did this event occur?

Short Essay Questions

1. As one might expect, Bessie got the last word in the book. What was Bessie's final insight?

2. How did Sadie make extra money in the early years? What dampened the success of the business?

3. Who convinced the sisters to move to Westchester? What kind of reception did the sisters receive?

4. Sadie was tricky when it came to getting a job at a high school. What was Sadie's trick? Why was it necessary?

5. What does Bessie say about the extra effort that must be put forth by Negroes?

6. Discuss Julia's move to New York. How did Julia's presence affect Bessie's attempt to get work?

7. The sisters talk about their situation during World War II. Discuss at least one issue the sisters had at that time.

8. What prompted the family to move to New York? Who moved to the city first? Why?

9. Explain Bessie's first practice. Who shared the office suite with Bessie?

10. Discuss at least two of Bessie's major challenges at Columbia.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sadie talks about racism in the black community. Even though the sisters are from the same family, there was a difference in the way they were treated due to the shade of their skin tone. Do you think that the shade of one's skin matters as much today, or are all blacks treated equally? Do you think other races have the same opinions and/or experiences? How did the sisters handle the difference in treatment? How were the other children treated? Why do you think some were lighter than others?

Essay Topic 2

Many people tried to get the sisters to use modern technology. At the time, that meant getting a telephone. Explain why the sisters refused to have a phone. What was their reason? What might happen if there was an emergency? How do you think the sisters would have reacted to today's modern technology? Do you think either would have given in and tried some of the new gadgets on the market today?

Essay Topic 3

Interracial relationships were not common in the late 1800s. Examine the relationship between Mr. Miliam and Nanny's mother. What were the specifics of the relationship? Was Nanny treated differently because her father was a white man? Did Miliam's wealth have anything to do with the level of acceptance in the relationship? Why was the couple never married? How might the same relationship be viewed today? How did the relationship affect Miliam's inheritance to Nanny and the children? Explain.

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