View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In New Orleans, what job does Hughes take?

2. Where does Hughes live in Barcelona?

3. In how many books does Simple appear?

4. How does Fisk College reward Hughes for reading his poems at their college?

5. Who is the founder of Bethune-Cookman?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Langston do upon returning to the United States?

2. Who is Jesse B. Simple?

3. What happens after Langston returns to New York City?

4. What does Langston do, while he is in Chicago?

5. Why does Hughes' poetry get him into trouble?

6. How is Langston able to tour the American South for the entirety of the summer?

7. What difficulties exist for Langston after graduation?

8. What does Langston do when he returns to Harlem?

9. What does Langston do with a four hundred dollar prize for "Not Without Laughter?"

10. What happens to the movie for which Hughes had been asked to become a writer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hughes' father is interested in paying for him to go to college.

Part 1) What does his father want him to study? What does Langston want to study?

Part 2) Why does his father want him to go to college? How is this motive revealed in the book?

Part 3) How does his father's reason for sending Langston to college reinforce Langston's opinion of him?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Langston travels to Asia.

Part 1) How is he able to travel here? Why does he want to go to Asia?

Part 2) Describe his Asian travels. How is he affected by these travels?

Part 3) How do Langston's travels in Asia influence those with whom he meets? Use the text to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 984 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample