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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. When did the Southampton Insurrection occur?

2. Who led the Southampton Insurrection?

3. How does Cora escape in the Underground Railroad in "The North"?

4. Where is the Wells' housekeeper from?

5. Who is described as a powerful local planter and senator that assembled at Oney Garrison's dining room, according to Martin in "North Carolina"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the setting described when Cora exits the train station in "The North"?

2. How is Mabel's flight described in "Mabel"?

3. What information does Martin relate to Cora about North Carolina politics during their visits?

4. What happens during the ambush at the community meeting in the end of "Indiana"?

5. How is the night before the community meeting described in flashback in "Indiana"?

6. What does Cora note about the landscape as she crosses through Tennessee?

7. How does the narrative transition in the chapter titled "Caesar"?

8. What gift does Royal give to Cora in "Indiana"? Why is this significant?

9. How does the narrator describe Caesar's feelings toward Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Garner in "Caesar"?

10. What happens when Cora is discovered in the home of the Wells?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the plot structure of The Underground Railroad. Where in the narrative are the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement? How traditionally structured would you consider the plot to be? Does the plot progress in a linear format or a nonlinear format?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Ajarry and Mabel in the novel. How is Mabel similar to her mother? How is she different? What do the actions of these characters reveal about them?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the opening "Reward" notices that appear in certain chapters of The Underground Railroad. Why do you think the author includes these notices? How do the notices serve the story? How do the notices change as the novel progresses?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 737 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample