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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 much older than Vivian is her husband, Ralph?

2. Which of the couple's children could not forgive his decision to leave their mother?

3. Why does Marvin challenge Marvella in the train station?

4. How old is Marvin?

5. What school does Lonney attend part-time?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "A Butterfly on F Street", describe Mildred's mental state.

2. Explain why the judge tells Samuel Williams Sr.'s lawyer that he cannot defend a man who will not defend himself.

3. Describe Lydia's lifestyle in "Lost in the City".

4. Describe the woman Mildred's husband had an affair with.

5. Why was the protagonist of "The Store" initially hesitant to respond to the ad in the paper?

6. What does the protagonist of "The Store" do when Penny decides to sell the store?

7. How does Mansfield's mistress talk to Lydia about her husband?

8. Why does Santiago's grandmother ban him from her house?

9. Why does Marvella keep her children at the school in Northwest?

10. In "Gospel", describe Vivian L. Slater's Sunday morning ritual.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Analyze the role of community in the stories throughout this collection. How do people form community in Jones' work? What do their communities mean in their daily lives? What is Jones' commentary about the significance of community and social interaction?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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