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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. From what material were the buildings on Nickel's property composed?

2. Superintendent Spencer told Elwood and the other newly-arrived Nickel Boys that they would be allowed to leave once they reached what status?

3. When Elwood Curtis saw what kind of trees over the shoulder of the reporter on television, he knew he would have to return to the Nickel Academy?

4. Once Elwood started to work for Mr. Marconi, Harriet put half of his wages toward household expenses and saved the other half for what expense?

5. On what "side" of the Nickel Academy's property was the "secret graveyard" (3) discovered?

Short Essay Questions

1. What examples does the narrator use to back up the claim that Harriet was rarely able to "make proper goodbyes to her loved ones" (70)?

2. How are the themes of brutality and oppression intertwined within Chapter 6?

3. In what way was Elwood's family history intertwined with the Richmond Hotel in Tallahassee?

4. For what purpose does Whitehead allude to Life magazine within Chapter 2?

5. Who was Mr. Hill?

6. In what way does Whitehead employ foreshadowing about Superintendent Spencer's character?

7. For what reason was Elwood unable to get a full night's sleep the day of his arrival at Nickel?

8. How many boys were incarcerated at Nickel at the time of Elwood's arrival and in what way was the campus divided into two?

9. Who was Elwood and what event prompted him to need to return to Nickel?

10. Describe Elwood's family, as it is presented in Chapters 1 through 3.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What ultimate message is Whitehead sending about the nature and value of compassion?

Essay Topic 2

What is Whitehead's message regarding the actions people must take in order to combat systematic racism built into the fabric of the United States?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Whitehead’s messages about guilt and responsibility within The Nickel Boys. Focus especially on events such as Harriet’s untimely death one year after her grandson Elwood’s demise.

(see the answer keys)

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