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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. What ended up bringing Iris and Coleman closer together during their marriage?

3. What does Coleman realize when he is trying to write his own story?

4. What does Coleman think is helping him to feel younger and stronger, aside from Faunia?

5. Doc Chizner tells Coleman not to tell the coach that he is __________ as this might hurt Coleman's chances of the scholarship.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Doc Chizner tell Coleman not to tell the Pitt coach when he is applying for a scholarship?

5. What makes Iris a strong woman, according to the descriptions in the book?

6. What does the doctor offer to Coleman's family in return for the favor they request, though the Silks turn the offer down?

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

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

9. What is the current and past status of Coleman Silk's employment in this novel?

10. Why were Iris' parents never officially married, though they conceived and raised Iris as their daughter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of the professor having an affair of sorts with the illiterate janitor is a little bit contrived, some would say.

Part 1: Do you think a professor and a janitor would realistically have an affair with each other? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think Faunia and Coleman are attracted to each other?

Part 3: Do you think that Faunia and Coleman would have had a shot at being together? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Delphine is an interesting character, one who seems to want to help Coleman and yet hurt him, too.

Part 1: Why do you think the Delphine is so quick to attack Coleman?

Part 2: Do you believe Delphine might have feelings toward Coleman? Why or why not?

Part 3: What do you think might happen if Delphine were to confess her true feelings about Coleman?

Essay Topic 3

Coleman's determination to live a life the way he wanted to live it had effects on everyone, even if that wasn't his intention.

Part 1: Why do you think Coleman was all right with the idea that his family basically disowned him?

Part 2: Why do you think that Coleman decided to choose to be white instead of black?

Part 3: How do you think Coleman's friends would have reacted had they known he was part black?

(see the answer keys)

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