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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How long does John say is the longest he's ever talked with his brother in his whole life?
(a) Two hours.
(b) Half an hour.
(c) Three hours.
(d) Six hours.

2. What would Robby do to make his family laugh?
(a) Impressions of famous people.
(b) Put on hand-puppet shows.
(c) Tell dirty jokes.
(d) Dance.

3. What Catch-22 was John caught in?
(a) He was expected to be smart and also anti-intellectual.
(b) He was expected to be black and also to fit in seamlessly.
(c) He was expected to have money, but he was expected not to work.
(d) He was expected to be a rebel and also a conformist.

4. Why did John's father move to Pittsburgh?
(a) He was joining some family members there.
(b) Employment in mining.
(c) To follow his wife's family.
(d) It was where his car broke down.

5. What news does John get at the beginning of the book?
(a) His brother has just finished school.
(b) His brother has shown up at his mother's house.
(c) His brother has received a life sentence.
(d) His brother has murdered a man.

6. What does John say about entering and leaving the prison?
(a) He looks forward to both times.
(b) He is filled with anxiety at both times.
(c) He feels like he is dying and being born.
(d) He does not like to be seen.

7. What is "Brothers and Keepers" centered on?
(a) Robby's trial for murder.
(b) The relationship between John and Robby.
(c) John's attempts to distance himself from his family.
(d) The history of Wideman's family.

8. Who is John?
(a) A black professional.
(b) A white cop.
(c) A black father.
(d) A black criminal.

9. How does John say he and his children and Robby act during their visit?
(a) Like strangers.
(b) Like a family.
(c) Like confused animals.
(d) Like fellow prisoners.

10. How did Robby change his mother?
(a) She became confused and lonely.
(b) She became indifferent and soulless.
(c) She became bitter.
(d) She became trusting and patient.

11. What does John say he sees in himself by looking at the prisoners?
(a) Evil.
(b) Guilt.
(c) Lust.
(d) Shame.

12. Who is Johnny-Boy?
(a) One of Robby's partners in crime.
(b) A criminal Robby picked up in Utah.
(c) The driver of the car who picked Robby up.
(d) The cop who catches Robby.

13. How does John characterize the difference between his mother and father?
(a) His father was from the South while his mother was a northerner.
(b) His mother was from the South while his father was from out West.
(c) His father was black, his mother was from the Caribbean.
(d) His father was dark black while his mother's family was light.

14. What does John say freedom is related to?
(a) Having good friends.
(b) Having work.
(c) Owning land.
(d) Running.

15. Where did John go to school?
(a) UPenn.
(b) Penn State.
(c) Harvard.
(d) Cornell.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the prisoners see children as, according to John?

2. What were prisoners prevented from doing after the revolt, according to John?

3. Who is the exception to this rule?

4. What is a fence?

5. What does John notice about the prisoners?

(see the answer keys)

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