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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. Where do most slaves who go back to Africa stay?

2. Where does Martha go once her boyfriend is gone?

3. Who is the most successful missionary sent to Africa in this story?

4. Why is California such an appealing place to Martha? Choose the best answer.

5. How does Martha try to get to California?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Martha's boyfriend?

2. Describe Cleo Hoffman.

3. Describe Leavenworth.

4. What did Edward dream that caused him much angst, and what does he interpret it as?

5. What illness has killed many slaves?

6. Do you think that the American Colonization Society sincerely believes in helping former slaves?

7. How does Martha come to run a restaurant in Dodge City?

8. Describe the plantation that Edward Williams owns.

9. How did Chester acquire his home?

10. In "West," who finds Martha in Denver, and what does this person do for her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Crossing the River is a novel made up of four different, stand-alone stories, but they all have common themes and characters. What characters did you find to be most similar from different stories, and why? How are they similar? What themes do they reflect, and what influences their character? Does setting play a role in their shared themes or is it more of their similar circumstances? Remember to provide examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In "The Pagan Coast," Nash Williams becomes increasingly disillusioned with Edward Williams, his adopted father/owner who he once idolized. How did Nash's view of Edward deteriorate? Start by describing how Nash viewed Edward towards the beginning of the story, and show how his view gradually deteriorates. Does Edward think any differently by the end of the story? Why or why not? Make sure to provide evidence to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

All the stories that make up Crossing the River share common threads though they fall across different lands and times. Choose one theme that runs throughout all the stories, and describe how your chosen theme runs through each story. You must mention all four stories, describing how that theme runs through it. Make sure you use examples from the book to support your answer. Your answer should be at least four paragraphs (one paragraph for each story).

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This section contains 754 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample