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. During what decade is this story set?

2. How can Spunk's job be described?

3. What do the men hear in the beginning of Chapter 2?

4. Who is Spunk dating after his trial?

5. What is Spunk's occupation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Spunk's reaction immediately following Joe's death? How is it different from Lena's reaction?

2. Why do you think the court decided that Spunk acted out of self-defense?

3. How do others in the town treat Spunk? Why do they treat him this way?

4. Describe the scene surrounding Joe's death.

5. Who is the winner of Hurston's story? How so?

6. What role do Walter and Elijah play in this story?

7. Describe the events leading up to the end of Chapter 1 and the confrontation between Joe and Spunk.

8. Do you feel sorry for Joe? Why or why not?

9. Do you admire Spunk or despise him? Why?

10. Do you think there is any competition between Joe and Spunk? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the deaths of Joe and Spunk. How is the way each of them die reflective of their characters?

Essay Topic 2

There are several instances of irony in Hurston's book. Identify at least one of these instances and describe why Hurston may have used irony when describing this particular situation.

Essay Topic 3

What is the tone of "Spunk"? Why would Hurston choose to write the story in this type of tone? What impact does the tone have on the way the reader perceives the characters and sequence of events?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 703 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample