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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 did Coleman recognize in the words as he was trying to write his story without any help?

2. Who does Coleman go to in order to complain about Farley and his behavior?

3. What is the profession of the woman with whom Coleman Silk is having an affair?

4. Who calls up Coleman and forbids him from ever contacting the family again?

5. Where does Coleman Silk's new young girlfriend live, according to Coleman's description?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the lawyer tell Coleman in regards to the restraining order against Farley?

2. What happened during the course of the investigation into Coleman Silk's accusations?

3. How does Coleman reveal his family secret to the woman he loves while he's in college?

4. Why did Coleman and Iris marry if they were complete opposites without passion for each other?

5. Describe Iris' health on the day that she died, according to the book's description.

6. What does Coleman do after his father dies when he is a student at Howard?

7. What did the nice letter that Coleman found in his personal belongings say?

8. Why does Coleman go to the lawyer the next day after seeing Farley?

9. How does Coleman reveal to Iris his racial background when they are getting married?

10. What happened on the day that Nathan found Coleman in only his shorts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Faunia goes to visit the crow, she sees many similarities in the crow and her situation.

Part 1: Why does Faunia go back to visit the crow again and again?

Part 2: Why do you think that Faunia tries to give her opal ring to the crow?

Part 3: Do you think the crow is a symbol for Coleman? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The children in Coleman's family seem to side with everyone else besides their father.

Part 1: Why do you think Coleman's children were so distant from him in the end?

Part 2: Do you think the choice of the funeral at the college chapel was also an attempt to hide their father's true identity? Why or why not?

Part 3: If you were one of Coleman's children, would you be upset with him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Race is a large part of this story, even when it isn't directly discussed. But race becomes the motivating force behind many decisions.

Part 1: How is race defined within this story by its characters?

Part 2: Is race only a matter of the color of one's skin? Why or why not?

Part 3: If you could change the way you look to others, would you? Would you present yourself as a different race? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 667 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample