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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 name of the magazine H. L. Mencken edits?

2. Whose work does Wright want to read?

3. Who gives Richard a sly smile before Richard leaves work?

4. Which two characters go to Chicago first?

5. What is Bill's favorite phrase?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Richard joins the May Day parade?

2. Who was Marcus Garvey?

3. Why does Richard want to read H.L Mencken?

4. How do Richard's white co-workers in the cafe shock him?

5. Why do the black Communists mock Richard?

6. In what way does Richard's situation take a turn for the worse when the Great Depression hits America?

7. What problems does Richard face as publicity agent for the Federal Negro Theater?

8. How do Richard's co-workers react when he tells them he is moving North?

9. Why does Mrs. Moss end up disgusting Richard?

10. What does Richard decide at the end of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did Richard develop sympathies towards the Communist Party? How did Wright view Communist ideas later on in life?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the relationship between education and racist attitudes.

1) How has education played an important part in changing racial attitudes?

2) How did education in the past help to develop racial attitudes?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the connotations of the word "nigger."

1) What is its original meaning and what has it come to mean?

2) Why is it now considered so wrong to use?

3) Do you think the word has become too powerful?

(see the answer keys)

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