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

2. What is the name of the girl who sits behind the protagonist in the school room in Chapter 1?

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

4. Who is the researcher that came up with the term "John Henryism"?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What theme stands out in Chapter 3?

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

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

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

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

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

10. How does the author describe Serena Williams's performance in the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define and discuss "affirmative action" and how it is applied in the book. When was affirmative action introduced in the United States? How did it change race relations? How did it impact the quality of life for African Americans?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the scenario in Chapter 7 with the white woman and black man on the bus. What realization does the woman reach in this story? How is her realization a metaphor for society? What is the outcome of this scenario?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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