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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. Falcon tells Rutherford that it is his bet Rutherford will be ________________ by the time the ship returns to New Orleans.

2. Where does Tommy stay for the rest of the voyage to New Orleans?

3. What does Cringle tell Rutherford about seeing and hearing the cabin boy in Falcon's quarters?

4. What is Tommy no longer able to do after he tries to look at the cargo?

5. What is the term used for the toilet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What ability does Rutherford lose while at sea?

2. How does Cringle compare jail and being a crew member aboard a ship?

3. As the Republic leaves the African coast, to what does Rutherford attribute the uneasiness he senses in Captain Falcon?

4. What, according to Rutherford, is proof of Isadora's kind heart?

5. What does Rutherford say about using sob stories in situations such as his first meeting with Captain Falcon?

6. When Rutherford shows Ngonyama a picture of Isadora, why does he ask why she has smudges on her face?

7. When Rutherford is awakened by Cringle and other members of the Republic's crew, why is he so quick to obey Cringle when he orders him to his feet?

8. What does Rutherford think about Isadora's choice of New Orleans as her city of residence?

9. What tendency of Rutherford's can Reverend Chandler do nothing to stifle?

10. After the mutiny conference when Rutherford brings Captain Falcon his dinner, what does he say to the captain when asked for a report on the activities of the crew?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Perhaps the most prevalent themes in Middle Passage are those of deception, blackmail, and stealing. Choose one of the following characters and demonstrate, backing up your arguments from the book, how these themes were evidenced in the character's behavior:

1) Isadora

2) Zeringue

3) Ngonyama

4) Squibb

5) Diamelo

Essay Topic 2

In an essay, explain and analyze how the Republic's state of constant disrepair symbolizes the destructive effect of the slave industry on American society, both in New Orleans and throughout the South. Use examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Rutherford described Cringle as having a sixth sense about disaster. Using examples from the text, demonstrate, analyze, and explain how this sixth sense proved to be an accurate foreshadowing of the events that took place during the Republic's voyage.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 612 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample