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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 Silk receive that tells him that others know about his affair with a younger woman?

2. Coleman thinks the Iris has the wildest _____________ of anyone he has seen.

3. How old is the woman that Coleman Silk is seeing after his wife's death?

4. Coleman realizes that if he had taken the more _________ Steena to his house, things might have gone better.

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end, the dialogue between Nathan and Les talks about having a secret place where someone can go without being disturbed.

Part 1: Why do you think it's important to Les that he have a secret spot?

Part 2: What does Les' need for a secret spot have to say about him as a person?

Part 3: Do you think Les was the killer behind the murders of Faunia and Coleman? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Delphine is an interesting character, one who seems to want to help Coleman and yet hurt him, too.

Part 1: Why do you think the Delphine is so quick to attack Coleman?

Part 2: Do you believe Delphine might have feelings toward Coleman? Why or why not?

Part 3: What do you think might happen if Delphine were to confess her true feelings about Coleman?

(see the answer keys)

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