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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 is the main theme depicted within the poem entitled "Question and Answer"?

2. The speaker of the poem entitled "Advice" says that "dying is" (97) what?

3. What term is used to describe the people who bury the man at the center of the poem "Dead in There"?

4. The Black Panther in the poem of the same name is said to "wear no" (141) what?

5. What word is used to describe the boy in the first line of the poem entitled "Junior Addict"?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does the poem entitled Madam and the Census Man" display the theme of pride in identity?

2. In what way is repetition utilized within the poem entitled "Song for Billie Holiday"?

3. Characterize the two speakers within the poem entitled "Question and Answer."

4. What is the most prominent literary device used within the poem entitled "To Be Somebody"?

5. The poem entitled "Trumpet Player" uses what kind of metaphor to describe the qualities of music?

6. To whom is the poem entitled "Late Last Night" addressed?

7. What is the main message of the poem entitled "Without Benefit of Declaration"?

8. Discuss one humanist message put forth within the poem entitled "Junior Addict."

9. What is the setting of the poem entitled "Projection"?

10. What historical figure is quoted within the poem that includes the lines "Who would be free/Themselves must strike/The first blow" (136)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the collection entitled Vintage Hughes from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 2

Look carefully at the passages and poems within the collection that demonstrate the damaging nature of the exoticism of black people within America. What is the author's purpose for discussing at length the nature of the connection between racism and the exoticism of African-Americans within society?

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Mrs. Ellsworth’s character within the story entitled "The Blues I’m Playing"? Discuss the characterization methods used by Hughes in depicting Mrs. Ellsworth and include in your discussion the reasons that Hughes portrays Mrs. Ellsworth in these particular ways.

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