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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 covers John's clothes when he comes into the house?

2. What does Dudley tell John to do for Ann?

3. What beverage is Grandma Wilhemina fixing?

4. Who owns the brownstone where Grandma Wilhemina lives?

5. What noise startles Grandma Wilhemina?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the author use the theme of black male figures in the story?

2. What is the first mention that indicates that Mattie is ill?

3. What happens after Ann suggests that she move into a hotel?

4. What warning does Mattie give Ann about Chips?

5. What inanimate element does the author use almost like another character throughout the play?

6. What happens when Mo derides Jeff's dream of fighting for Black rights via the legal system?

7. Why have Skeeter and Al come to the house to see Jeff?

8. Who is Ann Vanderguild?

9. What is the premise of THE RIVER NIGER?

10. What does Dudley find so amazing about the poem that John reads to Ann?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of hope. Identify at least two themes about hope in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 2

Create a brief character study of Jeff. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of black men in the 1970s. What precedents did they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions did they have? Did they enjoy any freedoms that 21st century men do not?

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