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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. What is the name of the man Malcolm befriends in this chapter?

2. What does Ella encourage Malcolm to do before he gets a job?

3. What does Malcolm see in his sister for the first time?

4. How many words does Malcolm claim are part of his vocabulary before he starts reading?

5. What does Malcolm say he learns from the black community in Boston?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Malcolm deal with the trouble he has with Archie?

2. Summarize Chapter 6.

3. How does Malcolm react to the idea he could be assassinated?

4. What is the main thing Malcolm says he gets out of dating a white woman?

5. In what way is Malcolm a good student?

6. Why is Malcolm appreciative of the two incidents in this chapter- the trip to Boston and the teacher's unfair treatment of him?

7. Describe Malcolm's visit home in Chapter 5.

8. Why does Malcolm think hustling is preferable to a normal, straight life?

9. What does Malcolm learn while he is in Africa?

10. What doe Malcolm learn about whites in Chapter 17?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss whether you think this statement is true or false: "Malcolm X uses the autobiography to market his image rather than his ideas." Use two examples from the book to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Haley was also an African American whose family suffered slavery and racism. Adhering to the rule that writers should always write about what they know, do you think it is obvious that Haley knows his subject? What difference do you think it makes to the story? Are there any moments where you think Haley does not portray a person or setting so well? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's ideas?

2) Examine the way both Malcolm and Alex Haley use the other people in the story to express Malcolm's ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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