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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 do Evelyn and Miss Georgia do together?

2. How did Renard's mother die?

3. What did Terry's father tell him about rehab?

4. Which school does Nelson Junior attend?

5. What do Mama, Daddy, and Aunt Ruby wear to relax?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Renard's physical appearance described, and why is this important to the story?

2. What does it mean when Sybil states that crack is not complicated?

3. What images are the most clear when Jackie reflects upon her previous house?

4. Why is it important that the reader knows Nelson was from a Senegalese family who did not mix race?

5. What is Ruby's opinion of Andrew after their first date and why does her opinion change?

6. What does Jackie like the most about her new job?

7. Describe Sybil's appearance. Why does it bother Jackie?

8. Why does Jackie feel Sybil is being condescending when Sybil kisses her cheek?

9. Why did people not believe that Sybil would go to law school?

10. Why does Sybil want to quit criminal law?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the significance of Nancy Reagan, an affluent white woman, posing with a young black child on a Just Say No billboard in the housing projects.

Essay Topic 2

Jackie has felt chronic grief since Terry left her. Write an essay citing the ways Wilkerson Sexton both subtly and directly shares with the reader that Jackie is in a depression.

Essay Topic 3

World War II is going on during the first section of this novel. Write an essay citing examples from the text regarding different characters' opinions of Black Americans in the war efforts. Provide a quote from at least one character.

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