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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. Whom did Serena Williams play in her semifinal matchup in the 2004 Women's U.S. Open?

2. The author claims in Chapter 3 that "Language that feels hurtful is intended to exploit all the ways that you are" what?

3. What does the author's friend say when the author is questioned by the cashier in Chapter 3?

4. What phrase is repeated in the first of the prints displayed in Chapter 3?

5. What does the girl behind the school girl ask her to do when they are taking exams in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What theme predominates Chapter 1 of Citizen: An American Lyric?

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

3. What does the author suggest as a potential power in racist language in Chapter 3?

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

5. Who is Judith Butler and why does the author cite her in Chapter 3?

6. How does the narrator respond when she is called a derogatory name by a friend in Chapter 3?

7. How does the author describe Serena Williams in Chapter 4?

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

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

10. How does the author describe Serena Williams's career in 2012?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the images reproduced in Citizen: An American Lyric. How does the inclusion of these images help to support the book's themes? What impact do the images have on you as a reader? What symbolism is seen in the images?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the scenarios presented by the author in Chapter 1. What are the different "characters" presented by the narrator? What do these characters experience? How do their experiences affect them?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the experiences of Serena Williams described in the text. What were the obstacles that Serena Williams faced? How did Serena Williams cope with those obstacles? Why does the author use Serena Williams as an example in the book?

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