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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. How do Langston's plays become more socially relevant?

2. What is the name of the theater in Los Angeles?

3. What has happened to Barcelona, right before Langston arrives?

4. Where does Noel Sullivan, an old friend of Hughes', put him up?

5. When do Langston and his friend set off for the South?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about "Don't You Want to Be Free?"

2. Describe Langston's poetry-reading tour.

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

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

5. Why does Hughes travel to Spain?

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

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

8. What does Langston do when he travels to New Orleans?

9. What does Langston do while in Carmel, California?

10. What does Langston do with the money he earns from the movie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hughes says he begins writing poetry because "he could not help himself."

Part 1) Why does he not have this attitude early on in life?

Part 2) What causes this change?

Part 3) How does this type of attitude lead him through his life?

Essay Topic 2

Mary McLeod Bethune helps Langston Hughes.

Part 1) Who is Mary McLeod Bethune? How does Langston know her?

Part 2) How does she influence Langston's life?

Part 3) How have those people with whom Langston has come into contact influence his life and work?

Essay Topic 3

Hughes travels to Africa.

Part 1) Describe his trip. Does it turn out as he expected? Why or why not?

Part 2) What is ironic about this trip?

Part 3) Why is color so important to various cultures at this time? Is race still important today? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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