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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. In "A Race in Mind," Morrison asks for more thoughtful work from what group?
(a) Art critics.
(b) Government.
(c) The press.
(d) Authors.

2. In the story that opens "The Nobel Lecture in Literature," what do the children ask the old woman about?
(a) Love.
(b) A bird.
(c) Death.
(d) A baby.

3. In her "Sarah Lawrence Commencement Address," Morrison says that when you hate you become what?
(a) A victim.
(b) A slave.
(c) A monster.
(d) An addict.

4. In her "Sarah Lawrence Commencement Address," Morrison says that she is willing to talk about typical graduation topics like the future, responsibility, and goodness, but not what?
(a) Success.
(b) Humility.
(c) Happiness.
(d) Ambition.

5. According to Morrison's "Black Matter(s)," what is a key factor in national identity?
(a) Literature.
(b) Religion.
(c) Immigration.
(d) Politics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.," what does Morrison say she wonders about MLK?

2. Morrison compares the Africa of the Western imagination to what legendary monster?

3. The ending of The Radiance of the King, according to Morrison, indicates that Clarence has undergone what kind of transformation?

4. In "Women, Race, and Memory," Morrison blames what group for the oppression of women?

5. What does Morrison praise the National Endowment for the Arts for in "The Individual Artist"?

Short Essay Questions

1. In “The Dead of September 11,” Morrison alludes to a famous speech. What speech does she allude to and what is the purpose of this allusion?

2. In “Black Matter(s)," in what ways does Morrison say Africanism has become a "disabling virus"?

3. In “The Individual Artist," what does Morrison say is the unique value of the National Endowment for the Arts?

4. In “Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.," what are the things that Morrison says Dr. King believed in?

5. In “Black Matter(s)," what main points does Morrison make about the alleged race-neutrality of American history?

6. In “Race Matters," why does Morrison say that she decided she needed a "home" and not just a "house"?

7. Explain how, according to Morrison's "Wartalk," the language around war has changed and when these changes occurred.

8. In “Moral Inhabitants," Morrison opens with some U.S. Census statistics. What are they and why does she include them?

9. In her "Sarah Lawrence Commencement Address,” how does Morrison define dreaming and why does she think it is important?

10. According to Morrison's “Women, Race, and Memory," what are the assumptions behind infighting among women?

(see the answer keys)

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