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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. The best time Faunia and Lester had together was when they were arguing and ended up _____________.

2. What is the phrase that Coleman uses with the lawyer which confuses the lawyer?

3. Who began molesting Faunia after her mother got remarried?

4. What does Coleman do when he realizes that the woman from the Midwest is someone he wants to be with forever?

5. Who calls up Coleman and forbids him from ever contacting the family again?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happened to cause Coleman Silk to have to seek retirement from his job?

4. What makes Iris a strong woman, according to the descriptions in the book?

5. What does Coleman Silk confess to his neighbor when he is 71 years of age?

6. What does the doctor who visits Coleman's family when Coleman is in high school want from Coleman and his family?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The shame Coleman seems to feel about his background causes him to hide from his life and from others.

Part 1: Why do you think Coleman decides not to tell Iris about his family background?

Part 2: Do you think Coleman made the right decision in not telling anyone about his racial background? Why or why not?

Part 3: What might have happened had Coleman not hidden from his racial background?

Essay Topic 2

Coleman passes most of his life as a white man, obtaining many of the privileges and power that come along with this race.

Part 1: Do you think that Coleman made the right decision in portraying himself as white? Why or why not?

Part 2: Do you think that Coleman had the intelligence to be in the positions he was in regardless of his race? Why or why not?

Part 3: In the time frame of the story, do you think Coleman needed to hide his race from others anymore? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

One's history is often the driving force in one's present day actions and decisions.

Part 1: Do you think Coleman is driven by his past? Why or why not?

Part 2: Do you think Les is somehow driven by his past? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think the past should influence decision making? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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