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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. Who has arrived at John's house?

2. What does Jeff do when he enters the house?

3. What is the name of the local bar?

4. How much money does John ask to borrow from Dudley?

5. What can Mattie tell about Grandma tonight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does John ask Dudley for when he abruptly changes the subject?

2. What is John's reaction when Dudley informs him of Mattie's health diagnosis?

3. Who is Dr. Dudley Stanton and how is he introduced into the play?

4. How do John and Dudley differ in their opinions of the military?

5. How does Grandma inadvertently upset Mattie when they are talking about John?

6. Why do Mo and Gail come to the house?

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

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

9. How does the author reveal the nature of the relationship between John and Dudley?

10. What happens to Skeeter as Jeff and Al talk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE RIVER NIGER is set in the 1970s in the wake of the Civil Rights movement in America. What impact did this factor have on the author? What impact did this factor have on the characters? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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