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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. Where does Jenny encounter Clara and Robert?

2. What does the protagonist of "The First Day" notice as her mother walks away?

3. What time does Caesar agree to return to Manny's that night?

4. What does Cassandra do instead of attending class?

5. How old are the mentally handicapped woman and her housemates?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the errand Gladys' mother pays Cassandra to run.

2. Discuss the girls' encounter with Pearl and Joyce. What unconventional decision have they made?

3. Describe the conversation between the girls about the effect Rhonda's fame will have on her.

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

5. Describe the final interaction between Caesar and Carol.

6. Describe Robert's reaction to becoming a widower and single father in "The Girl Who Raised Pigeons."

7. In "Young Lions", discuss Carol's feelings for Caesar.

8. How does Cassandra respond to teachers' attempts to set her straight?

9. What do the pigeons symbolize?

10. Why does the protagonist's mother slap her across the mouth in "The First Day"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the role of geography, space, and place in two or more of the stories in Jones' collection. How does Jones capture, explore, and comment on the urban environment of Washington, D.C.? How does Jones enlarge conventional notions of the nation's capitol city? In what ways do the depictions of the city in these stories interact with or build upon on another? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the collection, Jones presents a fairly nuanced portrayal of gender roles in the African-American community of Washington, D.C. Select at least 3 short stories from the collection and discuss the ways in which the characters in these stories respond to the roles imposed on them based on their gender. Do these characters conform or rebel? What do we learn about them based on their compliance or defiance? What might Jones' message regarding gender roles be?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of education in two or more of the stories in this collection. How does education play a role in these stories? What is Jones' commentary regarding education itself and the role education plays in this particular community? Provide details from the stories to support your argument.

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