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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. Coleman is __________, one of the first professors on the school's staff to be so.
(a) German.
(b) Black.
(c) Jewish.
(d) White.

2. Coleman and Iris married more out of convenience and companionship than out of _________.
(a) Desire.
(b) Necessity.
(c) Legality.
(d) Passion.

3. Where does Coleman Silk's new young girlfriend live, according to Coleman's description?
(a) In the city.
(b) At a halfway home.
(c) A dairy farm.
(d) With her mentor.

4. The best time Faunia and Lester had together was when they were arguing and ended up _____________.
(a) Breaking the stable horse.
(b) Making love in the hay.
(c) Throwing manure at each other.
(d) Kissing.

5. What happened to the two children that Faunia left with when they left the abusive husband and father?
(a) The father got custody.
(b) They were taken by social services.
(c) They died in a fire.
(d) They ran away.

Short Answer Questions

1. Coleman is a __________ skinned Jew, according to his own description.

2. What kind of Jew is Iris' father according to the book's description of her family?

3. Iris' father never married her mother because he is highly distrustful of ____________.

4. What is the favorite piece of literature of Coleman's father, according to the book?

5. Coleman Silk is also the first dean of __________ for the college who has the characteristic as the answer to #8.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the problem with Nathan's health which has changed him forever?

2. What is Coleman's religious background and why is this an important detail to note?

3. What is the current and past status of Coleman Silk's employment in this novel?

4. What does Coleman do after his father dies when he is a student at Howard?

5. Describe Iris' health on the day that she died, according to the book's description.

6. How does Coleman reveal to Iris his racial background when they are getting married?

7. What happened on the day that Nathan found Coleman in only his shorts?

8. What did Coleman do on the day he went to the funeral parlor to make arrangements for a funeral?

9. What does Mr. Silk believe is the most important thing in life, especially for a black man?

10. What does Ellie do when Coleman reveals to her his racial background?

(see the answer keys)

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