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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. In her dreams, what does the firewoman tell Akua?

2. What prompts the Asante men to go to war with the British Colony?

3. What memento of Marjorie's has Old Lady put in the ocean so that Marjorie will always be able to find home?

4. Why does Yaw consent to teaching the boys in English?

5. In the summer of 1964, what is going on in Harlem?

Short Essay Questions

1. What prompts Sonny to give up his work for the NAACP?

2. How does Amani get her name? What does this name prove about her?

3. Why might the novel Lord of the Flies be symbolic?

4. How can the character of Graham be compared to Willie's Robert?

5. Why do the villagers associate all white men, even the missionary, with the word "obroni" or "Wicked Man" (180)?

6. Why does Robert choose to live the life of a white man?

7. What about H puts him in danger with the police and the bosses?

8. How does Yaw help Esther relax when she first comes to work for him?

9. What enables Willie to begin singing again in church?

10. Why is Marcus afraid of water?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Baaba's "nothing from nowhere" curse play out with different characters throughout the novel? Be sure to reference at least three different characters.

Essay Topic 2

The black stones are obviously key symbols within this novel. However, many other instances of rocks, stones, and coal are mentioned. Write an essay in which you detail the meaning behind one or more of these objects.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you evaluate the statement, "those who had been determined to stay on the fence found themselves without a fence at all" (125).

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This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample