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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 does Edward entrust to give Nash some money?

2. Who does Edward hire to run errands for him?

3. Where are the Hoffmans going?

4. What does Edward find out about Nash from Madison?

5. How does Martha try to get to California?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to most of the letters that Nash Williams writes to Edward Wiliams?

2. Describe the mystery woman.

3. Where did Nash Williams first settle in Africa, and what did he do there?

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

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

6. What happens to Martha's boyfriend?

7. What do you think happened to Martha's husband?

8. Where does Nash Williams settle in his second year in Africa in "The Pagan Coast"?

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

10. How did Chester acquire his home?

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

While the first two stories in Crossing the River showed struggle more from the perspective of black characters who were victims of a cruel society that endorsed slavery, "Crossing the River" is told wholly from the perspective of a white captain who promotes slavery through trade. Describe his beliefs and how he reconciles them with the immoral profession he endorses and takes part in. What is "commercial detachment," and what does Captain Hamilton think of it?

Essay Topic 3

Over a hundred years ago, one of the only options for travel from continent to continent was by ship. In "The Pagan Coast," Edward Williams takes a voyage from the American South to Africa to find Nash Williams, and, in "Crossing the River," Captain James Hamilton's main occupation is journeying back and forth by ship to acquire slave "cargo." 1). Describe the hardships of such a journey from each point of view: the slaves, the crew, the Captain. 2). Describe what they observe along the journey and on their stops. 3). How are the slaves' deaths viewed in contrast to white men's deaths? Make sure you answer each part of the question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample