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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 does John count?

2. What does the author imply is lacking in black communities?

3. What time period serves as the setting of THE RIVER NIGER?

4. What do Jeff and Ann do after Jeff comes home?

5. What is the premise of the play?

Short Essay Questions

1. What warning does Mattie give Ann about Chips?

2. Describe the reactions of Mattie and Grandma when Jeff announces his plans to marry Ann.

3. Why have the group members brought Skeeter to Jeff's house?

4. Why does Ann volunteer to help with the plan to identify the gang's stool pigeon?

5. What does Ann tell Mattie about her family and background?

6. What is Jeff's response when Chips tries to antagonize Ann again?

7. How does the author reveal the nature of the relationship between John and Dudley?

8. Why can Jeff not try on his Air Force uniform when John asks him to?

9. What does Mattie consider to be a big problem in her family?

10. What happens to Skeeter as Jeff and Al talk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author gives stage direction for the music of a bass to punctuate different events during the play. The music then takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

THE RIVER NIGER is a classic story of hardship and struggles. What does that classification entail? Why does this play fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of black men in the 1970s. What precedents did they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions did they have? Did they enjoy any freedoms that 21st century men do not?

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This section contains 916 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample