The Color of Water | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapters 1 and 2, Dead, The Bicycle

1. Describe Jame McBride's family life.

2. Describe Ruth's parents.

3. How do things begin to go downhill for James when Hunter Jordan dies?

4. Why did James think his mother was strange?

5. What happens to James when his mother forgets to pick him up from kindergarten?

6. Why is Chapter 2 written in italics?

Short Essay Question - Chapters 3 and 4, Kosher, Black Power

7. What does Ruth say about her parents' marriage...
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