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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. Coleman and Iris married more out of convenience and companionship than out of _________.

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

4. How does Coleman Silk enlist when he signs up for the military branch he does?

5. What does Coleman want to do with his life once he gets out of the military?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Coleman reveal his family secret to the woman he loves while he's in college?

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

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

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

5. What makes Iris a strong woman, according to the descriptions in the book?

6. What does Coleman want to do with his life at first when he is out of the military and back in New York?

7. Describe Iris' health on the day that she died, according to the book's description.

8. What does Mr. Silk believe is the most important thing in life, especially for a black man?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The children in Coleman's family seem to side with everyone else besides their father.

Part 1: Why do you think Coleman's children were so distant from him in the end?

Part 2: Do you think the choice of the funeral at the college chapel was also an attempt to hide their father's true identity? Why or why not?

Part 3: If you were one of Coleman's children, would you be upset with him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Faunia, to some, seems to be the innocent victim of an older man, but is this really the case?

Part 1: Do you think Faunia is as innocent as she wants to be perceived by others? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think Faunia pretends to be dumber than she actually is? What might be the benefits of this act?

Part 3: What might have happened in Faunia's life had she been honest to others and to herself?

Essay Topic 3

When Faunia goes to visit the crow, she sees many similarities in the crow and her situation.

Part 1: Why does Faunia go back to visit the crow again and again?

Part 2: Why do you think that Faunia tries to give her opal ring to the crow?

Part 3: Do you think the crow is a symbol for Coleman? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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