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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did John's mother know that Robby was getting high?
(a) She heard from the neighbors.
(b) She heard in the trial.
(c) She caught him in the act of shooting up.
(d) She found money missing from her purse, and a syringe.

2. Who is Jamila?
(a) Robby's girlfriend.
(b) John's wife.
(c) John's daughter.
(d) John's mother.

3. How does John characterize the difference between his mother and father?
(a) His father was black, his mother was from the Caribbean.
(b) His father was dark black while his mother's family was light.
(c) His mother was from the South while his father was from out West.
(d) His father was from the South while his mother was a northerner.

4. Who is Faruq?
(a) Robby's cell-mate.
(b) A warden.
(c) A friend of Robby's.
(d) Robby.

5. How often does John visit Robby in prison?
(a) Every other month.
(b) Weekly.
(c) Annually.
(d) Monthly.

6. How does John say the guests are treated while they're at the prison?
(a) As fellow wardens.
(b) As prisoners.
(c) As trash.
(d) As VIPs.

7. What does John say he sees in himself by looking at the prisoners?
(a) Evil.
(b) Shame.
(c) Guilt.
(d) Lust.

8. What does John say Robby feels about Garth's death?
(a) Envy.
(b) Relief.
(c) Rage.
(d) Responsibility.

9. How does John characterize his feeling about his brother?
(a) In spite of the distance, he feels his brother is part of him.
(b) He is always trying to keep himself clear of his family's troubles, but they keep finding him.
(c) He feels little or no relation with his family.
(d) He feels like his brother is a stranger to him.

10. Who does John say he had to adjust to in college?
(a) The teachers and administrators.
(b) The janitors and maids.
(c) The local blacks.
(d) Rich white kids.

11. What does John say Garth's status was, in the neighborhood?
(a) He was misunderstood.
(b) He was loathed.
(c) He was feared.
(d) He was loved.

12. What was funny about John's trip to Maine with Robby?
(a) Robby singing black music.
(b) Judy singing old Perry Como tunes.
(c) Robby explaining where white music took from black musicians.
(d) John translating white music into black music.

13. What kinds of places did Robby NOT frequent?
(a) Poolroom.
(b) Gym.
(c) Girl's houses.
(d) Hang out corners.

14. How long is Robby's prison sentence?
(a) 15 years.
(b) 20 years.
(c) Life.
(d) 5 years.

15. What news does John get at the beginning of the book?
(a) His brother has murdered a man.
(b) His brother has just finished school.
(c) His brother has received a life sentence.
(d) His brother has shown up at his mother's house.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does John say freedom is related to?

2. What does John feel in looking at the prisoners?

3. When did Robby's robbery-murder take place?

4. What form does John Wideman use for telling Robby's story?

5. What do the prisoners see children as, according to John?

(see the answer keys)

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