View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old was Mr. Delany when he was freed from slavery?

2. Delany was required to convert to which faith?

3. How many Delany children were there in total?

4. In what year was Sadie born?

5. Sadie ended up teaching all over which North Carolina county?

Short Essay Questions

1. The book details the history of Nanny Logan Delany's family. What was unusual about the family dynamic?

2. What gift of Bessie's was not readily acknowledged? Why was it kept under wraps?

3. Sadie talks about the drawbacks of being old. Discuss at least two references Sadie makes to her advanced age.

4. Discuss the ages and situation between Sadie and Bessie.

5. Henry Beard Delany was born a slave on a Georgia plantation. Examine the Delanys' role in the household. When was Henry freed?

6. What type of school is St. Augustine's? When was it established? Where is it located?

7. What was so important about Henry Delany's foray into the church?

8. What does the author say about Sadie and Bessie in regards to their age and view of history?

9. What was the marital status of the sisters? What was their explanation?

10. What actions did the Mocks take that was illegal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although the Delany family had many admirers, they also had detractors. Examine the type of person that might be most likely to detract from the family's accomplishments. Why do you think some of the lower class black families were resentful of the Delanys? Were they jealous? Did they have the same ambition or opportunities? Why did some think the family was trying to live in a white man's world? What does it mean when people said that the Delanys were trying to live above their station? How did the Delanys react to their supporters and detractors? What is your opinion?

Essay Topic 2

Bessie and Sadie lived in the house in Mount Vernon for more than 75 years. Discuss in detail how the sisters purchased the house, where it was located, and the demographic of their neighborhood. Who helped to take care of the house? How much did it cost? What features were there to the house that pleased the sisters? What do you think might have happened to the house after the sisters died?

Essay Topic 3

Bessie jokes that the reason she and Sadie have lived so long was due to the fact that neither ever got married. Do you think there is any truth to that statement? Did Bessie mean what she said or was she joking? Why do you think neither sister ever married? How was that choice viewed by the rest of the family? Did either have a boyfriend? How might things have changed if one or both of the sisters had married? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 924 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample