View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapters 3 – 4 .

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the performer who invented the persona of Hennessy Youngman?
(a) Chris Marker.
(b) Jayson Musson.
(c) Glenn Ligon.
(d) Zora Neale Hurston.

2. Why does the woman at the cafe tell the author her son was not accepted at the college of her choice in Chapter 1?
(a) Because of his failing grades.
(b) Because of his lack of ambition.
(c) Because of affirmative action.
(d) Because of his lack of extracurricular activities.

3. In Chapter 3, the author writes, "Someone in the audience asks the man promoting his new book on humor what makes something funny. His answer is what you expect." What is the answer he gives?
(a) "Context."
(b) "Character."
(c) "Gravity."
(d) "Irony."

4. The author says in Chapter 4 that "truth be told, you could no more control those sighs than" what?
(a) "You could control your own mind."
(b) "That which brings the sighs about."
(c) "The oppression of my people."
(d) "The lies of history."

5. What does the word "denigrate" mean in Chapter 3?
(a) To imply.
(b) To elevate someone.
(c) To leave a situation.
(d) To criticize unfairly.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does the author first describe watching the Women's U.S. Open final in Chapter 2?

2. Who is the teacher described in Chapter 1?

3. What word in Chapter 4 refers to a contemplative person?

4. What does the author describe buying from the cashier when out with her friend in Chapter 3?

5. Rankine opens Chapter 4 with the statement that "To live through the days sometimes you moan like" what?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 261 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample