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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. In what year did this event occur?

2. Who built a house before the sisters moved to the area?

3. What would the man do to prompt the child to eat?

4. What was the occupation of the child's father?

5. Out of those cases, how many did Hubert lose?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Bessie's early days at Columbia. Which family member was most helpful to Bessie during that time?

2. What was the general impression of Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s? What was the other side of the situation?

3. Sadie was tricky when it came to getting a job at a high school. What was Sadie's trick? Why was it necessary?

4. Discuss Julia's move to New York. How did Julia's presence affect Bessie's attempt to get work?

5. What does Bessie say about the extra effort that must be put forth by Negroes?

6. Who was Little Hubie? Why was he special? What happened to the child?

7. Discuss at least two of Bessie's major challenges at Columbia.

8. How did Nanny's death change Sadie's role in the family? What was the family's reaction to the change?

9. What prompted the family to move to New York? Who moved to the city first? Why?

10. Discuss the effect of the Depression on Harlem. Also discuss the end of the Harlem Renaissance.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bessie refers to the Jim Crow laws as being "an ugly, complicated business." (Part 4, chapter 11, page 69) Discuss Jim Crow. Who was Jim Crow? Was he a real person? What were the Jim Crow laws? When and why were they put into effect? Were the laws state or federal laws? Where were the laws observed? Where were they broken? Why did Bessie think that they were ugly and complicated? Are the Jim Crow laws still in effect? If so, where? How would the laws apply today?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Hubert Delany. What was unusual about Hubert's professional career? How did he make a difference as an activist? How did the sisters feel when Hubert became a celebrated government official? What was Hubert's job? What was his role in law making and policy? Where did Hubert serve? What was the relationship between Hubert and his sisters? Which organizations did Hubert support?

Essay Topic 3

Sadie and Bessie wanted to prove that despite their age, they are still competent women with sharp minds. Many people believe that the elderly have outlived their usefulness. Do you share the opinion that the elderly are "used up?" Do you think that the Delanys still had something to offer either professionally or personally? Explain. Also compare the elderly people you know to the Delany sisters. How are they similar?

(see the answer keys)

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