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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 is "The Mecca" that the author describes to his son?

2. What does the author tell his son about promises?

3. How old was the author when his son was born?

4. How old was Tamir Rice when he was shot?

5. What does the author describe as the "enemy of art, courageous thinking and honest writing"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What role did religion play in the author's childhood?

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

5. According to the author, what is the purpose of the public school system?

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

7. According to the author, how have American police departments been given the right to destroy black bodies without the fear of recrimination?

8. How does the author define the word "black"?

9. How important were books to the author as he was growing up?

10. What is the author's interpretation of "The Dream"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the different societal views of "The American Dream," or "The "Dream," as the author calls it. What are potential material, social and emotional advantages of living "The "Dream"? Why does Coates warn his son (and others) against the pursuit of "The Dream"?

Essay Topic 2

While at Howard University, the author was influenced by such poets such as Robert Hayden and Ethelbert Miller. Their lyrical influence is still evident even in his memoir. How does the author's style of writing and choice of words reflect a poetic influence? Be specific in the examples you give. What are the potential benefits of using poetic language in a non-fiction work such as "Between the World and Me"? What are the potential drawbacks of using figurative, rather than literal language?

Essay Topic 3

The author spends a great deal of time describing his Mecca, Howard University, as an escape from the fear that once plagued his life as a child on the streets of Baltimore. Keeping in mind that Howard is a private university that not every student can afford, what other Meccas might exist in America that could parallel the author's experience? Are there other places or experiences that could provide a similar bond of safety and community for the black student? If so, what? Is the author's Mecca a physical place or a state of mind? Explain your answer citing examples from the author's work.

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