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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 Milkman been sleeping with for some time?

2. Which of these is not one of the rules of Guitar's organization?

3. What does Milkman throw his father into?

4. What is Guitar's advice to Milkman regarding his father?

5. Who is one of the members of this organization that eventually cannot not take it?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Milkman tell Pilate about the bones she found in the cave?

2. What does First Corinthians think has caused her lack of luck with men and marriage?

3. What is Milkman's reaction to the message he receives at the General Store?

4. What breaks Hagar from her three day trance?

5. What is Hagar's reaction to Milkman's breakup letter?

6. What is Guitar's idea for stealing the green bag from Pilate's house?

7. Who are the women that sing together that have such beautiful voices?

8. What is Guitar's reason for trying to kill Milkman?

9. Which of the children actually enjoy the ritual in which the Dead family takes part on Sunday afternoons?

10. What does First Corinthians' job mean to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Names seem to be a significant part of this novel, giving the reader insights into the characters, their personalities and their motivations.

Part 1 - Name five characters and describe why you feel Morrison chose their names.

Part 2 - With these five names, are there any that don't seem to be appropriate for the characters? Why or why not?

Part 3 - Do you feel the Biblical names have any further significance in this story? What sets those characters apart from the others?

Part 4 - Some characters have more than one name. Please name these.

Essay Topic 2

In the end, Milkman 'flies' off into a chasm, but it's not certain what happens after that. Following in his great grandfather's footsteps, it seems Milkman wants to make a leap as well.

Part 1 - Why do you think Milkman decided to leap off into the chasm? What was his motivation?

Part 2 - Do you think Milkman actually flew at the end of the story? Or perhaps you think it was a figurative flight? Explain your answer.

Part 3 - What do you think happens to Guitar after this scene? What does he do when he can not kill Milkman as he planned?

Essay Topic 3

The songs in this book are powerful points in the story and they relay different ways the characters feel about each other and the different ways the characters are connected.

Part 1 - Give three examples of the way song is used in this novel (besides the title).

Part 2 - Describe what each of these examples of song seem to say about those who are singing and about those who are sung to.

Part 3 - Obviously, the title is an example of song as well, but why do you think this title was chosen? What is its significance? Is it a strong title? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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