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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the author, America believes itself to be:
(a) Exceptional.
(b) Understanding.
(c) Peaceful.
(d) Pure.

2. Whose death reminded the author that his world and his son's were one and the same?
(a) Michael Jackson.
(b) The author's father.
(c) Michael Brown.
(d) The author's grandmother.

3. How did the author's father react when the author threatened his 9th grade teacher?
(a) His father confronted the teacher.
(b) His father confronted the principal.
(c) His father called the police.
(d) His father beat him.

4. What did the author's mother urge him to do when he was in trouble at school?
(a) Fight.
(b) Run.
(c) Draw.
(d) Write.

5. What difference does the author see between his childhood and that of his son?
(a) He had more friends than his son does now.
(b) His son is living in "The Dream."
(c) He had to learn to fight and survive in a more violent environment.
(d) His son's friends are much wilder than his were.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the author, slavery transfigured black bodies into:

2. According to the author, how does racism affect the body?

3. What has been the prevalent emotion in the author's life?

4. What acclaimed history book did Chancellor William write?

5. How old is the author's son at the time the memoir is written?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author mean when he says the school system and the streets are "two arms of the same beast"?

2. According to the author, how has the lack of fathers and father-figures affected black children?

3. How does the author use poetry to express his thoughts?

4. How does research and study affect the author as a young man?

5. What is meant by "Tolstoy is the Tolstoy of the Zulus?"

6. Why did the author's mother encourage him to write?

7. How did fear shape the author's childhood?

8. Why didn't the author console his son when Samori grieved over the release of Michael Brown's killer?

9. According to the author, why is America blind to it's racially defined shortcomings?

10. What influence did Malcom X have on the author as a young man?

(see the answer keys)

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