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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How much is the reward for the apprehension of Miss Burden's murderer?
(a) Twenty thousand dollars
(b) A thousand dollars
(c) Fifty thousand dollars
(d) Five thousand dollars

2. Where is Christmas finally able to relax and sleep?
(a) In an old cabin
(b) In the wagon of a stranger
(c) In an abandoned mine
(d) In a ditch

3. How does the fading afternoon light seem to Hightower?
(a) sentimental
(b) audible
(c) rosy
(d) sad

4. Of what does Hightower accuse Byron of doing?
(a) Running bootleg whiskey with Christmas
(b) Selling out Christmas to help his pregnant girlfriend's lover get the thousand-dollar reward
(c) Hiding the whereabouts of Lena's former lover
(d) Initiating an inappropriate relationship with the pregnant Lena

5. What does Christmas trade a black woman for when he is on the run?
(a) shoes
(b) food
(c) a Bible
(d) money

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the townspeople want to do with Christmas?

2. What does Christmas do on the side without telling Miss Burden?

3. What is the name of the old couple who lives in Mottstown?

4. Why will Lena not accept Byron's marriage proposal?

5. Why does Lena move into the cabin?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Christmas runs to avoid the law, he stops at a cabin and trades shoes with a Negro woman. What is the significance of the traded shoes?

2. The cries of Lena's newborn child are significant for Byron. Why?

3. Explain the irony in Miss Burden's nearly nymphomaniac behavior?

4. How does Mrs. Hines indirectly cause the death of Christmas, her grandson?

5. Why does Christmas refuse to marry Miss Burden and raise a family?

6. Why does Christmas feel he will be safe at Miss Burden's place?

7. What does Hightower finally realize as he sits at his window watching the fading light?

8. What is the symbolism of the odor in Hightower's house?

9. What does Hightower mean when he says the fading afternoon light is audible?

10. Explain this statement made by Christmas: "Whether they are seventeen or fortyseven, when they finally come to surrender completely, it's going to be in words."

(see the answer keys)

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