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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. In what century was the Atlantic slave established?
(a) The 16th century.
(b) The 17th century.
(c) The 18th century.
(d) The 15th century.

2. What is Mr. Waller's first name?
(a) Clel.
(b) Homer.
(c) Horace.
(d) Andrew.

3. When did Pennsylvania pass legislation to end slavery?
(a) 1799.
(b) 1885.
(c) 1865.
(d) 1780.

4. Mammy says in Chapter 1 that Sarny's mother sold for the value of how many field hands?
(a) 6.
(b) 2.
(c) 3.
(d) 4.

5. What does John call out for from the slaves in the sleeping quarters on his first night at the plantation in Chapter 3?
(a) Water.
(b) Extra food.
(c) Tobacco.
(d) Whiskey.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Sarny do with the coin that she found after showing it to Mammy?

2. When Sarny overhears the mistress of the plantation in Chapter 2, the mistress is complaining that her husband spends too much money buying slaves. What is she concerned that she will not have enough money to purchase due to her husband's overspending?

3. How does Mammy notate the ages of the slave children that she raises?

4. What does the author assert about the events in the story at the opening of the novel?

5. How does Sarny describe John's back when he arrives in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the trade that John offers to make with Sarny in Chapter 3? How does Sarny feel about the offer?

2. How does the author illustrate Sarny's only encounter with money in Chapter 2?

3. How is John's appearance described when he first arrives at the plantation in Chapter 3?

4. What does Sarny overhear from the white house while she works in Chapter 2?

5. Why were slaves forbidden education historically? How is this depicted in the novel?

6. How would you describe the narrator of the story? Is the narrator directly involved in the action of the narrative?

7. What work is Sarny doing on the plantation in the beginning of Chapter 2? How does she feel about this chore?

8. What is the significance of John's scars when he first appears? Why do you think Waller chose John despite those scars?

9. What imagery and/or symbolism is used in describing the slaves on the plantation in Chapter 2?

10. How does Mr. Waller behave toward John as he brings him into the plantation in Chapter 3?

(see the answer keys)

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