The Human Stain Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

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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. The best time Faunia and Lester had together was when they were arguing and ended up _____________.

2. What kind of Jew is Iris' father according to the book's description of her family?

3. Who does Coleman Silk want to pen his story about the accusations at the school?

4. What does Coleman do when his father dies during the middle of his first semester at college?

5. Iris' father never married her mother because he is highly distrustful of ____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened on the day that Nathan found Coleman in only his shorts?

2. Why did Coleman and Iris marry if they were complete opposites without passion for each other?

3. What is the problem with Nathan's health which has changed him forever?

4. What is the current and past status of Coleman Silk's employment in this novel?

5. What does the doctor offer to Coleman's family in return for the favor they request, though the Silks turn the offer down?

6. What did Coleman do on the day he went to the funeral parlor to make arrangements for a funeral?

7. What happened to cause Coleman Silk to have to seek retirement from his job?

8. What does Coleman do after his father dies when he is a student at Howard?

9. What happened during the course of the investigation into Coleman Silk's accusations?

10. Why were Iris' parents never officially married, though they conceived and raised Iris as their daughter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even in his darkest times, with rumors swirling about him, no one seems to stick up for Coleman.

Part 1: Why do you think none of his academic colleagues stood up for Coleman?

Part 2: Why do you think Coleman's children instantly believed the rumors instead of giving their father a chance to explain?

Part 3: Do you think anyone likes Coleman enough to help him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

It's interesting that the story includes a modern day reference to the Bill Clinton scandal, as it mirrors other events in the story as well.

Part 1: Why do you think the author decided to include the reference to the Bill Clinton scandal?

Part 2: Do you think Clinton's situation and Coleman's situation are similar? Why or why not?

Part 3: What do you think the novel has to say about affairs between older men and younger women?

Essay Topic 3

Coleman's determination to live a life the way he wanted to live it had effects on everyone, even if that wasn't his intention.

Part 1: Why do you think Coleman was all right with the idea that his family basically disowned him?

Part 2: Why do you think that Coleman decided to choose to be white instead of black?

Part 3: How do you think Coleman's friends would have reacted had they known he was part black?

(see the answer keys)

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