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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. At Mam Agnes's house, who comes out to the car to have a drink with Silas?

2. Whom does Silas call for emergency help when he sees that his wife is injured?

3. When Alec is drinking his tea, which of the following people is NOT a source of his outrage?

4. Where was Silas being held during Du Boise's encounter with Lydia?

5. What happens when Mikey tries to break the blue Ali stone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Alec become so outraged that he must leave his bedroom and make himself a cup of tea?

2. Why does Silas follow Du Boise to the cafe?

3. How does Lydia react to the news that Mikey has not come to visit with her at the hospital?

4. How does Mikey treat the small bird that flies in through his kitchen window?

5. What is the truth behind Mikey's parentage?

6. How does Kate react to Mikey while she is staying with him?

7. How does the Ali family react to Silas's seizure?

8. Why does Mikey travel to Shirley Graham's home and what is her reaction to hosting him?

9. How did Mikey come to contact his sister after she was sent away?

10. What does Silas think about as he is driving home from the hospital after refusing medical care?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the second half of the text, Mikey is performing a "separation" of his own, getting rid of all the men he believes deserve to die in South Africa. Explain what criteria Mikey uses in selecting his murder victims, and then explain how each of the murders shapes Mikey as he matures into manhood.

Essay Topic 2

Although Mireille is a minor character in this novel, she proves to be a symbol for many of the underlying themes. Briefly explain what happens to Mireille as a child, and why her story is symbolic of the family problems in the Ali family, and the disintegration the family is slowly enduring.

Essay Topic 3

The women in the Ali family, Grace, Lydia, Martha, and Mam Agnes, are considered to be the strong members of the family. Describe what character traits are present in all of the Ali women, and how they use these character traits to control their men. Then, give two examples of family decisions that are made by the women with complete disregard for the opinion of the men in their family.

(see the answer keys)

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