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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. What was the writer's first name?

2. What was Sadie's profession?

3. Black students in which state were the first to break the laws regarding segregation in public schools?

4. In what year did the Jim Crow laws take effect on a federal level?

5. The sisters absolutely refuse to have a ____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the births of the ten children, including their full names and birth years.

2. What is an issue-free Negro? What is the difference between an issue-free slave and a freed slave?

3. Henry Beard Delany was born a slave on a Georgia plantation. Examine the Delanys' role in the household. When was Henry freed?

4. What type of school is St. Augustine's? When was it established? Where is it located?

5. What is the reputation Bessie created for herself? What does Bessie think will happen to her when she dies?

6. Who was the Mock family? How were they important to the Delanys?

7. What two major events were the death knells of Jim Crow?

8. The book details the history of Nanny Logan Delany's family. What was unusual about the family dynamic?

9. Discuss the ages and situation between Sadie and Bessie.

10. What prevented people from harassing Nanny's grandparents? What major issue occurred after the death of Mr. Miliam?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Delany children were raised in somewhat of a sheltered way. Discuss the childhoods of the children. How were they affected by being so sheltered? What kind of influence did Henry and Nanny have on the way the children viewed the world? How might the children be different if raised in Raleigh proper, or in some unprotected area? What do you think Henry and Nanny might have done to protect their children in a different environment? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the professional careers of all ten children. Begin with the oldest and end with the youngest. How many were involved in the same or similar professions? Did any take after Henry or Nanny in their career choices? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The Delanys were a family of professional people, which was almost unheard of in their early careers. The women often faced additional challenges because of their gender as well as their race. How do you think the atmosphere of the professional world has changed since Sadie and Bessie's time? Have the values of professional women changed since the Delany sisters' heyday? Why do you think the sisters were so adamant about pursuing careers instead of marriage? Do you think the Delany sisters were unusual or before their time?

(see the answer keys)

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