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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. Delphine once had a relationship with a _________ man, but that went wrong so she does not want that again.

2. Nathan is worried that he may not have been a ___________ to Coleman, but then he learns of Coleman's secret.

3. Coleman says he will end the ___________ if it means saving his relationship with his children.

4. Coleman watches a group of people who are likely members of the _________ classes and he thinks he should be one of them.

5. Coleman encourages Faunia to ______________ to the same song that Steena once did.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Coleman encourage Faunia to do that Steena once did with him in the past?

2. What was the issue with the girl in Lisa's reading recovery group that made her question her teaching abilities?

3. What does Nathan think about Coleman's absence at first when Coleman stops spending time with him?

4. What did Coleman tell his children about his own parents when his children were much younger?

5. What happens to the personal ad Delphine sends out in order to find love?

6. What does Faunia end up doing with the ring Coleman gave to her?

7. How does Les feel when he goes up to the Moving Wall memorial?

8. Why did Coleman decide to never tell his children or his wife about his racial heritage?

9. What does Nathan come to realize is the reason why Coleman stayed away from him?

10. What is one of the lessons that Les has to endure as a part of his new therapy with a fellow Vietnam vet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of this book is certainly striking in and of itself, even before a reader dives into the text.

Part 1: What did you think the title referred to when you first picked up the book?

Part 2: Having read the book, how does the title relate to the book?

Part 3: The idea of a stain implies a negative meaning. Does this title have a negative connotation? Why or why not?

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

The war seems to have done quite a number of Les when he is described in this book.

Part 1: Why do you think war veterans can have so many mental disorders when they come back home?

Part 2: Do you think that Les could ever be rehabilitated?

Part 3: How do you think Les has changed from before he went to war?

(see the answer keys)

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