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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 caused the Johnstown flood?

2. Who is the person that is traveling in this book?

3. Whom does John trick into holding the animal in the field?

4. Whom does the brother outsmart in John French's story?

5. In what state does the author spend most of her time collecting stories?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gold explain the difference of skin tone in people?

2. Explain the story of the two brothers who started churches in Chapter 2. What is message of this story?

3. Describe the story Jim Presley tells Hurston. How are black men better then white men in this story?

4. Describe Mathilda Mosley's story.

5. Who is Babe Hill, and what role does she play in Hurston's book?

6. Why do you think the people of Eatonville were eager to share their stories and culture with Hurston?

7. What example does Hurston use to describe justice in Chapter 4, and what is Hurston's opinion about justice?

8. How does Hurston manage to fit into the Everglades Cypress Lumber Company community?

9. Describe Julius Henry's story.

10. What is Shug's reaction to Julius Henry's story, and why might she react this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the relationship between Hurston and Mr. Pitts. What role does each person fill in the other person's life? Explain two ways that Mr. PItts helps Hurston or vice versa.

Essay Topic 2

How does Hurston use dialect and slang in her book to describe the people she meets? How does it alter the reader's experience? Is dialect an effective tool for the writer?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the song John Henry? Analyze one verse from the song and explain how it relates to black history.

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