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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. Who sends a letter to Tom Weylin in Part IV?

2. Who does Rufus rape in Part III?

3. What does Dana sleep on?

4. Who makes Dana do the wash in Part IV?

5. Why does Kevin grow a beard?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does only Dana return to 1976 after both she and Kevin travel back to the 1800s together?

2. Why does Rufus say Tom Weylin "had" to beat Dana for running away?

3. Why does Tom Weylin end up sending a letter to Kevin telling him Dana is at his house?

4. Why does Dana refuse to drive once she starts time-traveling?

5. In Part III, how is Rufus's life in danger when Dana is called back to see him as an adult?

6. Why does Tom Weylin whip Dana, beating her badly?

7. Why does Dana try to run away in Part IV?

8. What does Dana tell Tom Weylin about her continually saving Rufus in Part IV?

9. What does Dana bring from her time that helps Rufus immensely?

10. In Part IV, how long has Kevin been alone in the 1800s?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring the meaning of the title Kindred in the entire context of the novel's action.

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think Butler chooses to describe the abuse and inhumanity of slavery - especially the beatings, killings, rape, and family separations the slaves endure - in such graphic terms? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Dana and Kevin decide to travel to Maryland and trace the history of the people they interacted with through time-travel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

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