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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. Sandy receives word from Annjee that she finally has the money for what?

2. On the way to Sandy's job, he was accosted by whom?

3. When Harriett appears on stage, what does she do?

4. Tempy had worked for a progressive white women fighting for what?

5. What is the first thing Tempy gives Sandy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sandy feel about what Aunt Hager had taught him? Why does he feel this way?

2. How does the reader learn Hager's importance in the community?

3. Was Sandy's first view of Chicago what he expected? Should he have expected this? Why or why not?

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

5. Why does Sandy want to move to Chicago?

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

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

8. Why does Tempy help out with the war effort?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Each of Aunt Hager's children leave her.

Part 1) Describe each of Aunt Hager's children. When and why do they leave her? How does this affect her? How does their leaving affect them? How does their leaving affect others in the story? Should they have left? Why or why not?

Part 2) When do the children return? Why do they return? What does this return reveal about them, Hager, and their relationship to Hager and to each other?

Part 3) Do all children leave their parents? Why or why not? Should children leave their parents and fend for themselves? Why or why not? Do you envision yourself leaving your family? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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