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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 Equiano do that he later thinks is a cause of the wreck of the Nancy?

2. Why does Equiano's conversion of the Native American not succeed?

3. What happens to Equiano on shipboard on October 6?

4. What two reasons does Equiano give for abolishing slavery in the last chapter?

5. What minister does Equiano hear preach in Philadelphia?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the trip to the North Pole develop Equiano's characterization?

2. Do you think it makes sense for Equiano to believe that he made the ship wreck by cursing it?

3. What is the significance of Equiano's encounter with Hughes?

4. How do Equiano's experiences in Georgia reflect on the conditions for free black men in the U.S. South before the Civil War?

5. Why does Equiano choose to go with Dr. Irving to start a plantation in Jamaica?

6. Explain Equiano's economic argument for ending slavery.

7. When Equiano decides he needs to find a religion to commit to (after his trip to the North Pole), how does he begin his search?

8. Why does Equiano decide to leave Dr. Irving's plantation?

9. Is there an implicit argument being made in Equiano's description of the time he spent in Turkey?

10. Describe and comment on Equiano's experiences with the Sierra Leone settlement.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 10, Equiano decides to go to Turkey because the Turks are the most Christ-like people he believes he has met. Based on his descriptions of all the different national and ethnic groups he encounters, explain how he might have come to this conclusion. Is it supported by the information he has presented elsewhere in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of family throughout Equiano's Narrative.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 1, Equiano states that he wants to avoid being either vain or boring in writing his own life story, but that instead he wants to provide "satisfaction" and "promote the interest of humanity." How well does he avoid being vain or boring? How well does he achieve his goals of providing "satisfaction" or entertainment to readers and promoting "the interest of humanity"?

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