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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. Which of Slim's relatives reappears briefly in Chapter 14?

2. What has happened to Pretty Preston since Slim ran away to hide from the FBI?

3. What particularly pleases Slim about his escape from State Workforce?

4. Who besides Glass Top and the other dealers know about Slim's coke addiction?

5. How long does Rachel work for Slim?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Leroy's arrest drive Chris to work for Blood?

2. Mavis is a female drug dealer and one of the few women in the story who is not a prostitute. How does Mavis being female make her an appropriate target for Slim's robbery attempt in Chapter 17?

3. Twice in Chapter 19, Slim turns to family for help. To whom does he go and for what?

4. What prompts Runt to work harder after her return in Chapter 12?

5. What consequences to others does Slim fail to consider before or mention after his escape in Chapter 18?

6. Why is Chris one of the few people who knows that Slim is addicted to cocaine in Chapter 13?

7. Slim finally feels like he is totally alone when he is released from Leavenworth in Chapter 16 and discovers Chris has married and had a baby. Is his reaction to this information purely selfish or is it possible that he has himself contemplated marrying Chris and is jealous of her ability to establish love and stability for herself?

8. How does Slim's reliance on drugs catch up with him in the end of chapter 15?

9. How does the relationship between Chris and Slim evolve during the 1940's in Chapter 14?

10. Slim manages to move past blunt physical trauma to a more elegant finesse when he realizes he's in danger of losing Rachel in Chapter 20. How does Slim employ his psychological genius once again to ensure Rachel's loyalty?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Beck's early years, doctors, lawyers, bankers were the only high class "Negro" society he was exposed to that looked as well or lived as well as he and his family (with Henry Upshaw). Yet apparently this did not make enough of an impression upon him to lead him to highly value education and he is thrown out of Tuskegee University for bad behavior. In the late 1920's what were the educational and professional opportunities generally available to black men, and how did this affect Beck?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Runt and Chris. How do their backgrounds differ, particularly with respect to their involvement with Slim? How does this affect their personal interactions with Slim and his treatment and regard for them?

Essay Topic 3

Common reviews and/or criticisms of the book "Pimp: The Story of My Life" include:

It is actually categorized as a work of fiction.

It has poor character development, particularly of the female characters.

The slang is outdated and nearly unreadable.

The lurid detail is more self-serving than explicative.

The plot movement is slow.

It is an unapologetic and graphically real look at the lifestyle it attempts to portray.

The writing style is inspired and gripping.

Slim truly tells it like it is.

React to some of these statements and craft your own thoughtful and well-reasoned review of this book (attempt to use your knowledge of literary standards as opposed to visceral reaction).

(see the answer keys)

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