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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. Where is Jimboy working?

2. Who are Hager's three daughters?

3. After some greeting, Harriet goes off to stay with _____________, who she says she'll be living with.

4. "Work" begins with Jimboy and Sandy doing what?

5. Hager, Annjee and Sandy are very poor, so poor that they can't afford what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Sandy and Annjee feel about Jimboy's disappearance? Why do they feel this way?

2. How did Hager believe the blacks should deal with white oppression? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

3. How did Jimboy react to Sandy's lying? How did this affect Sandy? Why was he affected in this way?

4. Why did many black people have to leave Stanton?

5. Why is Jimboy returning home? Does Aunt Hager believe him? Why or why not?

6. What is the purpose of "White Folks?"

7. How is Annjee treated by her employer? Do you believe this is unusual behavior for an employer at this time? Why or why not?

8. Why do Tempy and her husband leave the Baptist church?

9. Summarize "Storm."

10. Why does Harriet run off with the circus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Many conversations about life take place between the chapters.

Part 1) Describe two of these conversations. Why do they take place? What do they reveal about the characters involved in the conversation? What do they reveal about others in the story?

Part 2) What do these conversations reveal about the culture of the time? What do they also reveal about our culture today? How has our culture changed since this time? Is this a positive change? Why or why not?

Part 3) How can you relate to these conversations? When have you had similar conversations? How are conversations about life necessary? How do conversations such as these aid one in understanding oneself and others?

Essay Topic 3

A carnival and revival take place on the same day only a half mile apart.

Part 1) Describe the events surrounding this carnival and the revival. Why has the author put both of these events on the same day near each other? What does this reveal about the characters and the culture at the time?

Part 2) How might people act today if there were both a carnival and church revival on the same day? Would the reaction be the same? Why or why not?

Part 3) How are these two events similar? How are they different? What do they have to say about how people spend their leisure time? What does it also say about one's priorities in life?

(see the answer keys)

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