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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. Which Howard University student was shot by a PG County officer shortly after the author's encounter with the police?

2. The dead boy's mother channeled her anger into _____.

3. According to the author, "In America, it is traditional to destroy the _____" what?

4. What does the author witness while researching a story on the history of segregation in Chicago?

5. Why was the author's son pushed off the escalator?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the author's trip to Paris affect his view of what it means to live in a black body?

2. What reasons does the author give for the woman feeling validated in pushing his son off the escalator?

3. What impact does the death of Prince Jones have on the author?

4. Why are black children told to be "twice as good"?

5. What role has fear played in Samori's (the author's son) life?

6. Why has the author been too afraid to encourage his son to stand up for his rights?

7. How, does Coats write, have his eyes been damaged by what he has seen?

8. Why is the author angry and frustrated at the outcome of the investigation of the undercover cop who shot Prince Jones?

9. According to the author, how does the fear of losing one's life promote violence?

10. How does the author compare the flight of Abraham Brian to the fear of the modern black man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare how the events of September 11, 2001 affected the author with how a majority of Americans reacted to the tragedy at the time. Did the attacks eventually unify or divide the nation? Did the author feel a part of that movement? Why or why not? In your opinion, does his opinion represent that of a majority of black Americans?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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