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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 does Coleman tell Iris of his family and their history?

2. What happened to Nathan that caused him to live a life of celibacy?

3. How does Coleman Silk enlist when he signs up for the military branch he does?

4. What is the profession of the man who taught boxing at the Boys Club?

5. What is the profession of the woman with whom Coleman Silk is having an affair?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Coleman reveal his family secret to the woman he loves while he's in college?

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

4. Why does Coleman go to the lawyer the next day after seeing Farley?

5. What did the nice letter that Coleman found in his personal belongings say?

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

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

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

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

10. What happened during the course of the investigation into Coleman Silk's accusations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Coleman decides not to talk about his heritage in the face of his accusation, he is doing himself a disservice.

Part 1: What might have happened to Coleman had he actually stood up for himself during the accusations?

Part 2: Is it possible Coleman was trying to punish himself in some way for his lying? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that Coleman wanted to destroy his life? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of the professor having an affair of sorts with the illiterate janitor is a little bit contrived, some would say.

Part 1: Do you think a professor and a janitor would realistically have an affair with each other? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think Faunia and Coleman are attracted to each other?

Part 3: Do you think that Faunia and Coleman would have had a shot at being together? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Coleman's determination to live a life the way he wanted to live it had effects on everyone, even if that wasn't his intention.

Part 1: Why do you think Coleman was all right with the idea that his family basically disowned him?

Part 2: Why do you think that Coleman decided to choose to be white instead of black?

Part 3: How do you think Coleman's friends would have reacted had they known he was part black?

(see the answer keys)

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