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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 "Note to Harriett", Sandy is traveling to _____________ or the red-light district of Stanton.

2. Afterwards, Sandy and Annjee do what?

3. At the hotel, Sandy is largely responsible for what?

4. Harriet says that __________________, black people cannot let brains go to waste.

5. What is Hager's response to their treatment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Hager's funeral.

2. What was the worst incident Sandy had to deal with at the hotel?

3. What does Sandy get from working in a barber shop?

4. What is the other major event in this chapter? Are you surprised by this? Why or why not?

5. How is Sandy's hotel job, as mentioned in "Hey, Boy!" bad?

6. What is the first major event in "Ten Dollars and Costs?" How might this be both a good and bad job?

7. In "Children's Day," how does inequality even affect African American children?

8. How does Hager react to the unfair treatment of Sandy and his friends? Do you agree? Why or why not?

9. Why does Sandy want to move to Chicago?

10. What did Tempy and Arkins think of their low-class backgrounds? Should they feel this way? Why or why not?

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

Sandy is a good student.

Part 1) Describe Sandy's education throughout this book. Is it adequate? Why or why not? Should he have been placed in an integrated school, even though he was still segregated in many ways from his white classmates? Explain.

Part 2) Does segregation still exist today? Explain. Are all Americans given equal chances at receiving an adequate education today? Why or why not?

Part 3) How does Sandy's education compare to your own? How does Sandy's view of education compare to your own? How does Aunt Hager's, Tempy's, Sandy's, and Harriet's view of education impact you? Do you put as much emphasis on getting a good education? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Hager believes that slavery was not all bad.

Part 1) Describe Hager's experiences as a slave. How does she support the statement that slavery was not good, but it was not all bad? Is this sufficient support? Why or why not?

Part 2) How is life in this oppressive culture worse than slavery? Why is it worse than slavery? What role do both whites and blacks play in this oppressive culture?

Part 3) How has our culture changed since this time? Is it still oppressive? If so, how? If not, why not? Is there room for more equality, love, and understanding in our culture? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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