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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the story entitled "The Conversion of Sam," what type of establishment does Jim own with his wife Mattie?
(a) A bookstore.
(b) A restaurant.
(c) A nightclub.
(d) A brothel.

2. Which character teases Joe about his philandering wife before being chastised by other men in the story "Spunk"?
(a) Jordan.
(b) Spunk.
(c) Elijah.
(d) Walter.

3. What gesture does Isis make that serves to "heap kindling on" her grandmother's "already burning ire" (75)?
(a) A smile.
(b) A shrug.
(c) A smirk.
(d) An eye-roll.

4. Which type of wood is NOT mentioned when Isis watches her grandmother gathering a collection of switches?
(a) Apple.
(b) Guana.
(c) Peach.
(d) Cherry.

5. What kind of a pet does Sam have in the story "The Conversion of Sam"?
(a) A bird.
(b) A dog.
(c) A cat.
(d) A fish.

Short Answer Questions

1. What street does Sam begin to frequent once he falls back into a pattern of compulsive gambling?

2. The narrator reveals that the people in Sam's community view him as a what?

3. Stella and Sam get married in which month of the year?

4. In what way is Alfred related to John?

5. Bentley treats everyone in his life abominably with the exception of which character?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is the theme of family bonds depicted in the story entitled "John Redding Goes to Sea"?

2. Discuss the purpose behind Hurston's use of a frame structure to present the story entitled "Magnolia Flower."

3. Discuss an instance in the collection when Hurston emphasizes the way in which white people exoticize black people.

4. What is the symbolism of the tablecloth featured in the story "Drenched in Light"?

5. Who is Beau Diddely?

6. In what way does the story entitled "A Bit of Harlem" put forth an argument about the need for intersectionality when it comes to the discussion of race?

7. What does Spunk's Stetson hat represent within the story entitled "Spunk"?

8. What does the young disabled man featured in "A Bit of Harlem" say his teacher had told him about heaven? Why is this comment significant?

9. Discuss the significance of the final passages included within the story "John Redding Goes to Sea."

10. What is the main setting of the story "The Bone of Contention" and for what reason is the same setting represented within the story "Spunk" and others?

(see the answer keys)

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