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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. What game is going on at the joint in Chapter 9?

2. How does Hurston convince Luke Turner to speak with her?

3. What does it mean if it rains at a funeral?

4. Where does Hurston travel to in Chapter 10?

5. Where is Hurston in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the spell Luke Turner casts to drive a man out of town? What did his customer want him to do originally, and why did she change her mind?

2. Why does Hurston decide to move on from studying black folklore to Hoodoo?

3. What is the purpose of "big women" and "lil' women"?

4. Who is Luke Turner, and how does he treat Hurston upon meeting her? How does Hurston get Luke Turner to help her?

5. What is the significance of Eve of St. John's in Chapter 2?

6. Where does the slave get the name Big Sixteen from? What does he appear as today?

7. Compare and contrast Everglades Cypress Lumber Company to the housing in Pierce.

8. Who is Anatol Pierre? Describe some of Hurston's experiences with this man.

9. Describe the life of Marie Leveau.

10. Who is Dr. Samuel Jenkins? What is his clientele like? Why do you think he chooses to work with these people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the song John Henry? Analyze one verse from the song and explain how it relates to black history.

Essay Topic 2

Define the term hyperbole. Provide three examples where hyperbole is used in the language Hurston uses or overhears.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one story Hurston hears while on her travels and discuss its influence on the community. What message is the story trying to convey? Why does Hurston choose to illustrate this story in her book?

(see the answer keys)

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