View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wrote the following quotation that opens the book: "If they don't see happiness in the picture, at least they'll see the black"?

2. What does the "woman with multiple degrees" say she didn't know black women could get, in Chapter 3?

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?

4. What does the world say about memory and the past, according to the author in Chapter 4?

5. What does the word "denigrate" mean in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author illustrate the differences between white and black experiences in Chapter 3?

2. How does the narrator respond when called by the wrong name by a woman at work in Chapter 3?

3. What realization does the author reach in Chapter 3?

4. What is signified and alluded to by the picture of the Rutgers women's basketball team in Chapter 3?

5. Who is Franz Fanon and why does the author cite him in Chapter 2?

6. What is symbolized by the imagery on the cover of Citizen: An American Lyric?

7. How would you describe the narrative style of Chapter 1? What is significant about the narrative style?

8. Why is the friend upset about hiring an African American in Chapter 1?

9. What conclusion does the author reach in Chapter 4?

10. Who is Hennessy Youngman and what is discussed regarding him in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the events surrounding the Jena Six case. What was the verdict for the Jena Six and why did it cause outrage? What crime was committed? What is the outcome for the Jena Six today?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. How many people died during this natural tragedy? What prevented the victims from receiving help? How does the author characterize the response to Katrina?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the events surrounding the Rodney King beating and the ensuing riots. What led to Rodney King's beating? How were these events presented in the media? How did the Rodney King beating influence race relations in the U.S.?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 775 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample