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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through A Question of Identity.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What term does Baldwin use to describe the lives of American student in Paris in the 1950s?
(a) Social Limbo.
(b) Social Stability.
(c) Social Congruence.
(d) Social Butterflies.

2. What does Baldwin regard as the most important thing about the film Carmen Jones?
(a) The changes it suggests about the lives of Negroes.
(b) The questions it leaves about the relationship between Whites and Negroes.
(c) The impression it leaves about the realities of Negro life.
(d) The questions it leaves in the mind relate more to inferior life of Americans.

3. What's the name of Baldwin's brother who relayed his experience with the Melodeers in Atlanta?
(a) David.
(b) Richard.
(c) James.
(d) Brian.

4. Why does Baldwin insist that the operatic songs performed by the cast in the film Carmen Jones have no connection to Negro life?
(a) The music pieces were sung by white people and dubbed over the black actor's lip syncs.
(b) The music pieces were sung by middle class black people and dubbed over the black actor's lip syncs.
(c) The music pieces were sung by white men and dubbed over the black actor's lip syncs.
(d) The music pieces were sung in Italian and dubbed over the black actor's lip syncs.

5. Since Negroes have been in this country, Baldwin writes that their one devastating gain was:
(a) Slavery.
(b) Abolition.
(c) Colonization.
(d) Emancipation.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the chapter, A Question of Identity, how does Baldwin learn about his struggle for identity in the world?

2. According to Baldwin, what discovery brings an end to the alienation of the American student in Paris?

3. Why is the cleanliness of the Carmen Jones movie set necessary for white audiences?

4. Why did Baldwin think the Negro vote was so easily bought and sold in the 1940s?

5. What reason does Baldwin give for not believing that ex-GIs traveled to Paris to study?

(see the answer key)

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