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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 suffer for the first time upon his arrival at Howard College?

2. What did Coleman recognize in the words as he was trying to write his story without any help?

3. Who sent the letter to Coleman that reflected on how good he looked and how mature he seemed?

4. What does Coleman tell Iris of his family and their history?

5. What did Coleman suffer quite often when he was young because of his name and to what it could refer?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the doctor offer to Coleman's family in return for the favor they request, though the Silks turn the offer down?

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

5. Why did Coleman and Iris marry if they were complete opposites without passion for each other?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even in his darkest times, with rumors swirling about him, no one seems to stick up for Coleman.

Part 1: Why do you think none of his academic colleagues stood up for Coleman?

Part 2: Why do you think Coleman's children instantly believed the rumors instead of giving their father a chance to explain?

Part 3: Do you think anyone likes Coleman enough to help him? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of secrets is pervasive in this story. It seems that everyone has something to hide.

Part 1: Would Faunia's life have been better had she not hidden her literacy? Why or why not?

Part 2: Would Lester's life have been better had he not hidden himself in Vietnam? Why or why not?

Part 3: Would Nathan's life have been better had he not hidden his sexual dysfunction? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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