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

2. Who is John's son who is returning home?

3. What does Dudley offer to give Mattie?

4. What is on the paper from which John reads to Ann?

5. What does Grandma comment on regarding Mattie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dudley tell the family about Mattie's health and how does Mattie respond?

2. What is Jeff's explanation for his leaving the Air Force and how does John react?

3. What does Mattie ask Ann to do while she and Grandma go out shopping?

4. Who is Chips and what is his demeanor as he enters the play?

5. How do Dudley and John differ on engaging in the trials of black people in America?

6. Describe the scenario in which Al is killed and John is mortally wounded.

7. Why does Dudley decide to tell John about Mattie's health?

8. How does the play begin and who is the first character to appear?

9. What insights has John had while being away for a week?

10. Why does Ann volunteer to help with the plan to identify the gang's stool pigeon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting of the book is Harlem in New York City in America during recessionary times. Explain how this affected people in America overall. Then drill down to explain how people in Harlem were affected. What impact did financial situations have on the lives and outlooks of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Jeff, Ann and Dudley. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 922 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample