View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the Brotherhood regard the dolls Clifton had been selling?
(a) as a racial slur
(b) as ridiculous and overpriced
(c) as an unauthorized act of independence
(d) as a personal hobby that the narrator should have ignored

2. Why does the narrator consider his funeral speech a failure?
(a) He hadn't been able to inspire the crowd to fight.
(b) He hadn't been able to talk about political issues.
(c) He didn't think about singing the song before the old black man started it
(d) He had too little to say to the youth.

3. Why does the narrator remain in his hole for a long while?
(a) Because he was knocked unconscious
(b) Because he is not able to reach the manhole cover.
(c) Because he cannot determine his own intentions
(d) Because he is afraid the Brotherhood is still hunting for him

4. The narrator has learned that a person must approach the world with
(a) Both love and hate
(b) intelligence and ingenuity
(c) determination and courage
(d) subtlety and reserve

5. Why is the narrator unable to see his audience when he gives his speech at the arena?
(a) The auditorium is too dim.
(b) He is blinded by lights
(c) He has to speak from behind a curtain.
(d) They are too far away.

Short Answer Questions

1. What awakens the narrator in Chapter 15?

2. What decision does the narrator accept for the time period that will be needed to clear the charges against him?

3. What makes the narrator think that his night with the white woman was a trap?

4. What do the yams symbolize?

5. What is happening in Harlem?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator really feel about the gift of the chain from Brother Tarp?

2. In what way could the new shoes be symbolic?

3. Why does Jack become angry with the man who asks the narrator to sing a "spiritual"?

4. Why is the narrator's work on the "woman question" cut short?

5. What is meant by "white fever"?

6. Why do Dupre and his men choose a particular building to burn?

7. Why does the lady on the street become angry when he tries to put the figurine in the trash can?

8. Explain why the "woman question" is typical of the Brotherhood's approach to issues.

9. Why does Brother Jack defend the narrator at this point?

10. To what does Brother Tarp attribute the warning letter?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,059 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample