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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. What job is Sandy offered?

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

3. What does Hager tell Sandy about slavery?

4. Who did Sandy begin to think was the villain?

5. What did Sandy win?

Short Essay Questions

1. What takes place in the Pool Hall? Why?

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

3. How does Sandy change when he begins to focus on his education? Is this good or bad?

4. How does Sandy's life change after Hager's death?

5. Should Sandy have dumped Pansetta?

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

7. What does Hager have to say about the soul and the world?

8. Why does Sandy want to move to Chicago?

9. How is the title, "The Doors of Life," significant?

10. How has Harriett grown up? How is this revealed in what she says to Sandy and Annjee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sandy grows up a great deal in this story.

Part 1) Describe Sandy's development into manhood throughout this story. How do the other characters in this story, as well as events that take place, affect him? How does he influence others in this story?

Part 2) How do the other characters grow and change as well? How do these changes affect the dynamics between the characters throughout this book?

Part 3) How have you, your friends, and your family changed over the years? Why have these changes occurred? How have these changes affected your relationships? Overall, have these changes been good? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The personalities and beliefs of the characters are revealed early in the story.

Part 1) Describe the personalities and beliefs of each of the main characters. How are these personalities and beliefs revealed in the story? How do these personalities and beliefs cause conflict between the characters? How do they also bring the characters together?

Part 2) How do the characters' personalities and beliefs change over time? What causes these changes? How do these changes alter the plot of the story? Do the events of the story guide the characters' reactions and opinions? Do the characters' personalities and beliefs guide the events in the story? Are both the characters' personalities and the events in the story play equal roles in the progression of the plot? Explain.

Part 3) How can you relate to these characters, their personalities, and their beliefs? How does the author make these characters "real" for the reader?

Essay Topic 3

Aunt Hager believes that the world only has room for love.

Part 1) Describe the situation in which Aunt Hager mentions this. Why does she believe the world has room for "nothing but love?" If the soul is ugly, how can the world only have room for love? Do you agree with Hager? Why or why not?

Part 2) How can the world make room only for love? Does this take place in the story? Is this thought reflected anywhere in the story? Explain.

Part 3) How is love seen in our world today? Do you believe it is possible for all races and cultures to love and respect each other? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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