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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. Who is Babe Hill?

2. How does Mr. Pitts plan to demonstrate his feelings towards Hurston?

3. Why does Hurston go to Pine Mill?

4. What is Joe Wiley's story about in chapter 5?

5. What does "Big Moose done come down from de mountain" mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hurston go into the swamp with the men in Chapter 4? Where does she go instead and why?

2. Explain what a "toe dance" is and Hurston's experience at the "toe dance."

3. How does Hurston win acceptance at the Pine Mill?

4. Where does Hurston arrive at the start of the book, and what is her purpose for traveling there?

5. Who is Babe Hill, and what role does she play in Hurston's book?

6. Describe the Everglades Cypress Lumber Company.

7. Describe the story Jim Presley tells Hurston. How are black men better then white men in this story?

8. Why do you think there are debates over which folktales are true or which version is the "correct" one?

9. Describe the story in Chapter 2 which tells how a man decides to become a preacher.

10. What is the significance of the stories Hurston hears about the slave outsmarting the master or black men outsmarting white men?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one story Hurston hears while on her travels and discuss its influence on the community. What message is the story trying to convey? Why does Hurston choose to illustrate this story in her book?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Hurston's experience at the Everglades Cypress Lumber Company. Describe two important people she meets here and why they are important to her book.

Essay Topic 3

Hurston's book contains several folktales and traditions from the black community. Why are folktales important to keeping tradition alive? Cite one story Hurston hears and explain how the story keeps history alive and vibrant.

(see the answer keys)

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