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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did the author's father discipline him?
(a) In time-out.
(b) By taking his phone.
(c) With a belt.
(d) By slapping his face.

2. What is "the Yard"?
(a) A club in downtown Atlanta.
(b) A strip of green grass near the White House where protesters gather.
(c) An area near the docks in Virginia where students gather.
(d) A communal green space at Howard University when students gather.

3. What field did the author pursue after he left Howard University?
(a) Journalism.
(b) Archaeology.
(c) Music.
(d) Bookselling.

4. Whom does the author describe as his "wedding ring"?
(a) His wife.
(b) His son.
(c) God.
(d) His soul.

5. What did the author find unique about Howard University?
(a) All the students were black, but distinctly unique in culture.
(b) Everyone was treated as an equal, regardless of race.
(c) All the students were wealthy, regardless of race.
(d) The professors spent time outside with the students.

6. Where did the author meet the mother of his son?
(a) Baltimore.
(b) The Mecca.
(c) New York.
(d) Atlanta.

7. According to the author, it is important that whether one wins or loses the fight, who should be by your side?
(a) Friends.
(b) Family.
(c) Pride.
(d) God.

8. According to the author, navigating the streets of Baltimore is like a:
(a) Warzone.
(b) Playground.
(c) Battlefield.
(d) Series of trick questions.

9. Who were the first white people the author knew on a personal level?
(a) Religious zealots.
(b) Reporters.
(c) Hippies.
(d) His editors.

10. For how many years were black people enslaved in America?
(a) 100 years.
(b) 250 years.
(c) 150 years.
(d) 50 years.

11. According to the author, upon what has America's progress been built?
(a) Violence.
(b) Education.
(c) Wealth.
(d) Hard work.

12. According to the author, what is the purpose of defining races of people?
(a) To define culture.
(b) To form a hierarchy in society.
(c) To identify people groups.
(d) To instill a sense of cultural pride.

13. Coats explains that the young men who walk the streets of Baltimore loud and rude do so because:
(a) They are uncultured and wild.
(b) It is their way of being friendly.
(c) They are uneducated and don't know any better.
(d) It gives them a sense of security and power.

14. How old was the author when his son was born?
(a) 30.
(b) 24.
(c) 21.
(d) 18.

15. The author views the school systems and the streets as:
(a) The different universes.
(b) Opposite ends of a pole.
(c) Arms of the same beast.
(d) Two warring nations.

Short Answer Questions

1. What important skills did the author's mother teach him?

2. What view does the author have of the afterlife?

3. Coats quotes that sixty percent of all young black men who drop out of high school will:

4. Whose death reminded the author that his world and his son's were one and the same?

5. How did the author's father react when the author threatened his 9th grade teacher?

(see the answer keys)

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