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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 does Dudley tell John to do for Ann?

2. What does Grandma Wilhemina put in her coffee?

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

4. What had Dudley been doing out of the country?

5. Who is Jeff's childhood friend who comes to the house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Explain the source of John's deep regret in his life. How does Mattie respond to what he says?

5. Why do Chips, Mo and Gail come to the house?

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

7. What can John and Dudley tell about Ann after speaking with her for a short while?

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

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

10. What is John doing at the beginning of Act 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Dudley. 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 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

Three generations of black women are represented in this play. Compare and contrast Grandma, Mattie and Ann. What similarities do they share? How are they different?

(see the answer keys)

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