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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Marcus in "Sly Stone," what is the spirit behind Riot?
(a) American pride.
(b) White self-criticism.
(c) African pride.
(d) Black self-criticism.

2. Who wrote "Papa Was a Rolling Stone?'
(a) The Temptations.
(b) Bob Dylan.
(c) Sly Stone.
(d) Jimmy Hendrix.

3. Why did people riot at Sly Stone concerts in the 70s?
(a) His music provoked angry emotions.
(b) Sly showed up late or not at all.
(c) The police showed up and made racial slurs.
(d) Sly sold out.

4. What song by Randy Newman was a satire on bigotry?
(a) "Suzanne."
(b) "God's Song."
(c) "Davy the Fat Boy."
(d) "Short People."

5. Who said "This is the mystery of democracy . . . that its richest fruits spring up out of souls which no man has prepared and in circumstances where they are least expected"?
(a) Woodrow Wilson.
(b) Abraham Lincoln.
(c) Greil Marcus.
(d) Elvis Presley.

6. What literary term does Marcus identify with the line "When he died, all he left us was alone"?
(a) Moral.
(b) Theme.
(c) Enigma.
(d) Epitaph.

7. What was Elvis called in the beginning of his career?
(a) A good 'ole boy.
(b) Hillbilly Cat.
(c) The King.
(d) Bilbo.

8. Who said "when I was a boy . . . I was the hero in comic books and movies. I grew up believing in a dream"?
(a) Elvis Presley.
(b) Johnny Cash.
(c) Greil Marcus.
(d) Hank Williams.

9. Who wrote "obviously, it is easier to kill than to create" (95)?
(a) Josef von Sternberg.
(b) Greil Marcus.
(c) Sly Stone.
(d) Nietszche.

10. According to Marcus in "Randy Newman," what is the number one democratic desire?
(a) Home.
(b) Revenge and redemption.
(c) Wealth and fame.
(d) Family and love.

11. Curtis Mayfield's songs in Superfly were meant to be what according to Marcus?
(a) Direct.
(b) Superficial.
(c) Parody.
(d) Legendary.

12. According to the myth, who did Staggerlee shoot?
(a) Leroy Brown.
(b) A stranger.
(c) Himself.
(d) Billy the Lion.

13. What was on the cover of Riot?
(a) Water.
(b) A gun.
(c) Sly wearing a zoot suit.
(d) An American flag with flowers for stars.

14. Who wrote "Little Wing"?
(a) Sly Stone.
(b) Jimmy Hendrix.
(c) Bob Dylan.
(d) Neil Young.

15. Where are dreams imprisoned according to Marcus in "Sly Stone"?
(a) The music.
(b) Politics.
(c) They cannot be imprisoned.
(d) The mind.

Short Answer Questions

1. Marcus believes that "There's a Riot Goin' On" is an example of what?

2. What is the name of Elvis' mother?

3. In what voice does Newman sing his songs?

4. Who wrote "Hound Dog"?

5. To which historical figure does Marcus compare Elvis?

(see the answer keys)

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