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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. What does the author describe pouring three bowls of in Chapter 5?

2. How many individuals were indicted for conspiracy of several hate crimes against African Americans, including James Craig Anderson, committed from the spring of 2011 to March 2012?

3. In Chapter 6, the author writes, "He said, I don't know what the water wanted. It wanted to show you" what?

4. What was considered to be the murder weapon in James Craig Anderson's death?

5. The author writes in Chapter 5, "You begin to move around in search of the steps it will take before you are thrown back into your own body, back into your own need" for what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author say regarding questions and answers in Chapter 6?

2. How does the author juxtapose the reality of Hurrican Katrina victims with their depiction in the media?

3. How is the theme of anger explored in Chapter 6?

4. How does the author describe the effects of Hurricane Katrina in Chapter 6?

5. How does the author's language and narrative style change in Chapter 5?

6. How is the theme of being forgotten explored in Chapter 6?

7. What scenario does the author describe while waiting at a bar of a restaurant in Chapter 5?

8. How does the term "microaggression" apply in Chapter 5?

9. How is the theme of the pain of prejudice explored in Chapter 6?

10. What theme is explored by the author in examining the Trayvon Martin case in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme and concept of "presence." What does presence mean? How does it apply to race and dealing with racism? What does the author equate presence with? How is presence connected to breath?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

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