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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay 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. What is the mood in the Riot album?
(a) Hope.
(b) Oppression.
(c) Joy.
(d) Anger.

3. What two lines from an Elvis song does Marcus claim are the most perfect lines in blues?
(a) "If you don't believe I'm leavin' / You can count the days I'm gone" (152).
(b) "That's All Right" and "My Baby Left Me" (155).
(c) "I'm gonna quit my crying / I'm gonna leave you alone" (152).
(d) "I tried and I failed / And I feel like going home" (154).

4. Who claims that "every great artist must create for a great audience"?
(a) Bob Christgau.
(b) The Beatles.
(c) Randy Newman.
(d) Greil Marcus.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Elvis," Marcus compares Elvis to what character envisioned by Ralph Waldo Emerson?

2. What does Leslie Fielder call the Beatles in "Randy Newman"?

3. Whom did Bob Dylan claim was "America's greatest poet"?

4. Who sang "I tried and I failed / And I feel like going home" (154)?

5. Why did people riot at Sly Stone concerts in the 70s?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Marcus in "Randy Newman" what is a shared culture? Why is the shared culture important?

2. In "Elvis," Marcus discusses the Pink Cadillac as being the downfall of Elvis. What does the Pink Cadillac symbolize and how is it Elvis' downfall?

3. According to Marcus in "Elvis," in what ways can Elvis be considered a myth?

4. Describe Randy Newman's style; what does he sound like? What influences are in the music?

5. According to Marcus in "Sly Stone," why did Sly Stone create the album Riot ?

6. According to Marcus in "Elvis," what are Elvis Presley's roots?

7. In "Elvis," what is Elvis' "Rockabilly Moment" (141)?

8. What type of risk does Randy Newman make in his music? What risk does he avoid?

9. According to Marcus in "Elvis," what racial issues exist with Elvis' music?

10. What does Marcus mean when he wrote: "Instead of breaking the bartender's glass Stack found himself aiming at the mirror behind the bar, and thus discovered that the target was himself" (78)?

(see the answer keys)

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