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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. In "School", the summer ends and Sandy has to go back to school to the ________ grade, which was integrated.

2. How did Aunt Hager learn that Sandy had spent his money in a way he should not have?

3. Sandy really wants _________, but the best his mother can do is to get Mr. Logan to build him one.

4. Sandy wonders if he could ever be __________ and whether the Lord even cared if someone was black or white, or male or female.

5. Why did many of the elder townspeople die?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Annjee defend her decision to go to Detroit?

2. What takes place at the same time during "Carnival?" Why is this significant?

3. What does Jimboy do when he comes home in "Guitar?" Why might he do this?

4. How is it revealed in this chapter that class structure and race is important to the people of Stanton?

5. How does Annjee react when Jimboy comes home and ignores her and her cooking? Should she react this way? Why or why not?

6. How does Sandy react to Tempy's gift? Why does he react this way?

7. Why does Harriet run off with the circus?

8. How does the reader know that Harriet has lived a difficult life since she left home?

9. Summarize "Storm."

10. What are Hager's religious beliefs? What does Harriet think about these beliefs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Pool Hall is a popular place for black men to congregate.

Part 1) Describe the Pool Hall. Why is it so popular? What does it reveal about African American men? How do these men compare to their African American female counterparts? Analyze these differences.

Part 2) How do these men compare to white men in this culture? Are they similar? Are they different? Why? How do these men compare to men today? Would these men be any different if they were allowed more freedom and more choices of recreational activities? Why or why not?

Part 3) Do you consider the behavior of these men bad? Why or why not? Should places like this exist today? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Sandy, by the end of the book, decides to focus on his education.

Part 1) Describe Sandy's education throughout the book. At what points does he become excited about learning? Why does he become excited about learning? How does this excitement affect him?

Part 2) How might this decision affect Sandy for the rest of his life? How important is it that Harriett supports this decision? Explain. How does this decision reflect Sandy's upbringing in Tempy and Aunt Hager's care?

Part 3) Do you believe that education is important in your own life? Why or why not? What do you believe is important in your own life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The book ends with Harriet supporting Sandy's decision to complete his education.

Part 1) How does the story evolve to this point? Why might the book end in this way?

Part 2) Is this a good way to end the story? Why or why not? If you could change the ending, what would you do?

Part 3) What does this ending say about the purpose of the book? What does it say about Langston Hughes, himself?

(see the answer keys)

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