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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 had Ann told Mattie she wouldn't do during her visit?

2. Where does Ann end up spending the night?

3. What does Dudley offer to give Mattie?

4. Who is Jeff's childhood friend who comes to the house?

5. What is John Williams' occupation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is John doing at the beginning of Act 2?

2. What insights has John had while being away for a week?

3. What does Mattie tell Ann about what John gave up in order to support her family?

4. Who is Dr. Dudley Stanton and how is he introduced into the play?

5. What does John read while sitting at the table?

6. What does Ann tell Mattie about her family and background?

7. Why does Ann volunteer to help with the plan to identify the gang's stool pigeon?

8. What is the setting of Act 3 and what are the characters doing as the act begins?

9. What is revealed about what was heard on the phone lines in the plan to catch the informant?

10. Why do Mo and Gail come to the house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author gives stage direction for the music of a bass to punctuate different events during the play. The music then takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

THE RIVER NIGER is set in the 1970s in the wake of the Civil Rights movement in America. What impact did this factor have on the author? What impact did this factor have on the characters? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Jeff, Ann and Dudley. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 847 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample