View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the founder of Bethune-Cookman?

2. How is "The Big Sea" received by many critics?

3. The result of Hughes' time spent writing in this place is what?

4. Into what language are Langston's poems translated?

5. When do Langston and his friend set off for the South?

Short Essay Questions

1. What poetry does Hughes write during this summer?

2. What happens to the movie for which Hughes had been asked to become a writer?

3. What does Langston do after his first year at Lincoln?

4. Where do Langston and his mother move? How is this beneficial?

5. Why does Langston write the poem "Tomorrow's Seed."

6. What does Langston do while in Carmel, California?

7. What is significant about Jesse B. Simple?

8. What happens after Langston returns to New York City?

9. Describe Langston's poetry-reading tour.

10. Why does Hughes' poetry get him into trouble?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hughes is accepted into Columbia University.

Part 1) Describe his experience at Columbia.

Part 2) Why does he drop out? How does his experience at Columbia play a role in his decision to drop out?

Part 3) Is Langston's college experience worthwhile? Why or why not? What purpose does this time at Columbia serve?

Essay Topic 2

Hughes' work often gets him into trouble.

Part 1) Why does it get him into trouble?

Part 2) Would it get him into trouble today?

Part 3) Do writers and other artists today get themselves into trouble for the same issues Hughes got himself into trouble? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Hughes' father is interested in paying for him to go to college.

Part 1) What does his father want him to study? What does Langston want to study?

Part 2) Why does his father want him to go to college? How is this motive revealed in the book?

Part 3) How does his father's reason for sending Langston to college reinforce Langston's opinion of him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 879 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample