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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. Who does Laura lie to in order to make the date with Malcolm?

2. Which character in this chapter wants to kill Malcolm?

3. With which character does Malcolm commit burglaries?

4. Where does Ella find Malcolm a job at the beginning of the chapter?

5. Who does Ella disapprove of Malcolm seeing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Malcolm's job with the madam?

2. In what way are Malcolm's problems getting worse in Chapter 8?

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

4. What does Malcolm learn about skin color during his pilgrimage?

5. How does Malcolm avoid the draft?

6. Describe what Malcolm does when he meets a white woman in Chapter 4.

7. Why doe Malcolm initially think that it is a good idea to give up cigarettes in prison?

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

9. How would Malcolm turn around his life?

10. How does Malcolm feel about the way he treats Laura in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the Nation of Islam in the Sixties. What were people's views on the Nation of Islam? Was there any Nation of Islam literature?How was Nation of Islam presented in popular culture? Has this representation affected the way people think about the Nation of Islam today?

Essay Topic 2

Compare the characters of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad.

1) In what ways are their ideas different?

2) What is their relationship to each other?

3) Why do you think they cannot sort out their differences?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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