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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. How does Martha try to get to California?

2. What is going on in California during this time period?

3. What happens to many slaves that repatriate to Liberia?

4. What does the letter that Edward Williams receives say?

5. How did Martha's boyfriend acquire his home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the American Colonization Society.

2. When and where was the last time Martha saw her husband and daughter?

3. What does Martha think happened to her daughter?

4. What group of people make up most of Martha's business while she is in Kansas?

5. What happens to Martha at the end of "West"?

6. How is Nash treated by white men in Monrovia, Liberia?

7. Describe the fight that Chester had with some fellow poker players.

8. Describe Cleo Hoffman.

9. What happens to the relationship between Nash and his natural mother?

10. Describe the plantation that Edward Williams owns.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"West" focuses mainly on the story of Martha Randolph, but there are some other characters worth focusing on, such as Chester and other minor characters. Each character represents a perspective and influences the outcome of the plot in some form. What representation was the strongest and most significant in the story? What message did the author intend to give through this story? Make sure you use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In "Crossing the River," James Hamilton is a young English merchant who inherits his father's ship. His father seems to have broken down due to his inability to reconcile his Christian and moral beliefs with the profession he took part in for most of his life, which was slave trading. Compare the young Hamilton with his father. How does young Hamilton reconcile his beliefs with his profession? What happened to Hamilton's father? What do you think will happen to Hamilton eventually? Do you think a similar fate to his father awaits him?

Essay Topic 3

Christianity is a theme that runs throughout each story in Crossing the River. Choose two stories to compare in regards to the way Christianity influences characters. How do the characters' beliefs influence the plot? How do they reconcile their actions with their beliefs? Make sure you name which stories you choose, and use examples to support your answer.

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This section contains 782 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample