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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. Who is cited as saying that "skin color cannot be more important than the human being" in Chapter 6?

2. What word from Chapter 5 refers to humor or frivolity, especially in the treatment of a serious matter?

3. What word does the author use in Chapter 5 to mean a thing that blocks one's way?

4. What word in Chapter 5 means to cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority?

5. What phrase does the author describe trying to stamp from her mind in Chapter 6?

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 are "words" presented in Chapter 5?

4. How does the narrator describe overcoming her inner struggle in the conclusion of Chapter 5?

5. What does the author state regarding the Jena Six case in Chapter 6?

6. What is the author referring to when she writes "I was creating a life study of a monumental first person, a Brahmin first person"?

7. What theme is explored when the narrator describes her experience in the drug store in Chapter 5?

8. How does the author describe the past in Chapter 5?

9. Why does the author discuss eating cereal in Chapter 5?

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

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

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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