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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. How many years has Nash been in Liberia?

2. Who is Martha's first husband?

3. What is Martha's new boyfriend's occupation?

4. What happens to Edward's wife?

5. Why is California such an appealing place to Martha? Choose the best answer.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the fight that Chester had with some fellow poker players.

2. Describe the relation between Madison Williams and Edward Williams.

3. Describe the American Colonization Society.

4. What is the Voice of Africa?

5. What happens to Martha at the end of "West"?

6. What does Martha think happened to her daughter?

7. What happens to the relationship between Nash and his natural mother?

8. Who is Edward Williams?

9. What happens to most of the letters that Nash Williams writes to Edward Wiliams?

10. When and where was the last time Martha saw her husband and daughter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "West," Martha endures significant hardships, but she finds hope in different places. Describe three hardships that Martha has endured, and explain how she endured them. Where did Martha find hope? What gave her solace during these different obstacles?

Essay Topic 2

In "Somewhere in England," there are various characters with their own different backgrounds, goals, and ideas. Joyce is first married to an Englishman and then has an interracial relationship. How does Joyce's marriage to Len contrast with her relationship with Travis? How are these relationships different in the eyes of society? Which do they scrutinize more and why? Make sure you answer each question thoroughly, using examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Crossing the River is a novel made up of four different, stand-alone stories, but they all have common themes and characters. What characters did you find to be most similar from different stories, and why? How are they similar? What themes do they reflect, and what influences their character? Does setting play a role in their shared themes or is it more of their similar circumstances? Remember to provide examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 761 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample