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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 is Hughes' only friend in Africa?

2. Where will he be joining these people?

3. By whom is Langston greatly influenced?

4. Who takes Langston in?

5. What does Langston's mother want him to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What influences exist in Langston's life at this point?

2. Describe Hughes' family history.

3. What does Langston realize about his father, when he visits him for a summer?

4. How is Langston treated in Africa?

5. How does Langston get the opportunity to travel to Africa? What does he do, as he travels across the ocean?

6. Describe Langston's experience in Paris.

7. How is Langston affected by racism at this point in his life?

8. How is Langston affected by his father's attitude?

9. What does Langston do after dropping out of Columbia?

10. How does Langston act on stage at church? What are the reactions of the congregation and his mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hughes travels to Spain.

Part 1) Why does he travel to Spain? How is this trip foreshadowed?

Part 2) What does this trip reveal about Hughes' character?

Part 3) How does Hughes' time in Spain affect him and those with whom he comes into contact? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Hughes has a strong work ethic.

Part 1) How is this revealed early in his life? How does he come about this work ethic?

Part 2) How does this affect his art?

Part 3) Would he have been as successful without this curiosity and interest in the world? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

A theme found in much of Hughes' work is the optimism of humor.

Part 1) How is this a theme?

Part 2) How is humor optimistic? What does this reveal about Hughes?

Part 3) How might this theme draw readers to Hughes' work?

(see the answer keys)

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