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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 Malcolm get away with entering a bar in the Negro Section of Lansing?

2. What happens at night when the Little family has gone to bed?

3. What city had Laura never heard of?

4. As a youth, what are Malcolm and Laura doing that gets the crowd roaring?

5. What job does Shorty teach Malcolm how to perform?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the scene where the character of Laura is introduced?

2. What is the Klan's warning to Louise?

3. What comes out to explain Louise's fair complexion?

4. What are the three areas of Malcolm's life represented in the scenario?

5. Who does Louise Little, Malcolm's mother, have to confront in the back yard of her house?

6. In another flashback, how does Malcolm see himself as a prisoner?

7. What is the opening sequence in the screenplay?

8. What event does Malcolm remember as he watches people on the streets?

9. What image does the sight of a blonde woman crossing the street arouse in Malcolm?

10. What dramatic technique does Baldwin use to set up the background of the movie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of two or more typed, double-spaced pages on How I Believe Democracy works. Using Malcolm as an example of someone profiting from the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, discuss how it is possible for many people to have opposing views in a democracy. Describe other regimes where such a privilege is not possible.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of two or more typed, double-spaced pages on Reevaluating First Impressions. Using Malcolm X as your example, discuss (1) the first impression most white people had about Malcolm X, (2) the changes that took place in his thinking, and (3) the reason most people did not recognize the changes. Apply that example to a discussion of why first impressions are not always reliable but are difficult to change.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of two or more typed, double-spaced pages on Being Careful About Friendships. Start with how Malcolm thought Luther and the Leader were his friends only to learn of their jealousy and danger to him and his family. Go to Sidney who was his friend as long as he held to the militant line. Then cover how the masses who once cheered him on, turned against his new message of conciliation.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 645 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample