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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 old is the protagonist of "The First Day"?

2. Where do Betsy Ann's pigeons fly away to each morning?

3. In "The Night Rhonda Ferguson Was Killed", when the car stalls, who is able to get it started?

4. Who had told Caesar that dreams were a good sign for a conman?

5. A woman in "The First Day" has fashioned hair curlers out of which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Robert respond to his daughter's desire to raise pigeons of her own?

2. Describe the final interaction between Caesar and Carol.

3. In "The First Day", why does the protagonist's mother have her heart set on taking her to a particular school?

4. In "The First Day", how does the protagonist's mother prepare her for the first day of school?

5. What do the pigeons symbolize?

6. What does Betsy Ann do to lose her father's trust? Why does he become so angry?

7. Discuss Caesar's feelings for Carol.

8. Why is the protagonist of "The First Day" turned away from Seaton Elementary?

9. How does Robert treat his daughter Betsy Ann?

10. Describe the character of Cassandra G. Lewis in "The Night Rhonda Ferguson Was Killed".

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Relationships between women are central to many of the stories in this collection. Select three stories from the collection and discuss the way in which women form community amongst themselves. How does Jones portray the bonds between women in these stories? Are they mutually supportive? Antagonistic? Do these relationships fill any particular needs for the women who form them?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the role and characterization of the police officers in the work. How do the police interact with the characters in Jones' stories? Is the relationship between the characters and the police officers antagonistic? Respectful? What might Jones be saying about the treatment this community receives from its police officers in this collection?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the way in which the stories of "Lost in the City" comment on the role of aspirations and the "American Dream" within the African-American community. Using 3-4 of the stories in the collection, discuss the means through which the characters attempt to improve their socioeconomic status. Are these means within or outside of the established system? Do these strategies effective uplift members of the community? Why or why not? What is Jones' message about attempts to reach economic or social prosperity?

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