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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who wrote: "You run without moving from a terror in which you cannot believe"?
(a) F. Scott Fitzgerald.
(b) William Faulkner.
(c) Greil Marcus.
(d) Robert Johnson.

2. Whom does Marcus claim puts the pieces together to find meaning in the music?
(a) Rock 'n' rollers.
(b) Artists.
(c) The critic.
(d) The audience.

3. What "spirit" does Harmonica Frank have that Marcus believes is truly American?
(a) Tender and free.
(b) Crazy and chaotic.
(c) Cruel and truthful.
(d) Unrepentant and free.

4. What does Marcus say each performer he will discuss in the book attempts to do?
(a) Redefine love.
(b) Entertain.
(c) Create oneself.
(d) Make music for money.

5. What type of music did Robert Johnson sing?
(a) Gospel.
(b) Blues.
(c) Rock 'n' roll.
(d) Country.

Short Answer Questions

1. The song "We Can Talk About It Now" creates what kind of image?

2. Why does Marcus believe it is important to study the stories of some performers even if the book does not encompass everything?

3. What is the name of The Band's second album?

4. What is ironic about rock 'n' roll and democracy?

5. With whom is Carmen walking in the song "To Kingdom Come"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Just before "The Righteous Land," Marcus quotes from "We Can Talk About It Now." The storyteller in the song tells "there's no need to slave. The whip . . . is in the grave" (53). What type of imagery does this line have and what does it mean?

2. In "Harmonica Frank - 1951," what exactly is the American spirit that Marcus believes Harmonica Frank brought to rock n' roll?

3. According to Marcus in "The Band," how are Harmonica Frank and Robert Johnson relevant to The Band?

4. Describe Harmonica Frank. What did he do? What did he look like? What made him unique?

5. In "Robert Johnson -1938," what common theme does Robert Johnson's music have with music by Eric Clapton?

6. Describe Robert Johnson's musical career. How did his contemporaries feel about his abilities? Is his music still relevant?

7. In "The Band," what happens when the Band plays in San Francisco after releasing their first two albums?

8. In "The Band," what is significant about a group according to Marcus in "Crossing the Border"?

9. In the prologue, what four artists does Marcus say he will write about and why these performers?

10. There are several dualisms that Marcus identifies the Band reflecting on in "The Righteous Land " section of "The Band." What are two of these dualisms and what aspect of America do they reflect?

(see the answer keys)

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