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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. Where does Empire State like to hang out?

2. Which of these names does not belong in the Dead family?

3. For how long does Milkman want to leave town?

4. Who does Milkman's best friend goad Milkman into visiting?

5. What does Milkman send to Hagar?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Milkman decide to travel to Danville?

2. What idea does Macon resist when talking to Milkman?

3. Why does Guitar leave Milkman alone, even though Guitar is certain Hagar is coming to kill him?

4. When Milkman is 31, what is he out doing before Christmas?

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

6. What are some of Milkman's first impressions of the Butler house when he arrives?

7. Why do the beatings of Ruth finally stop in the Dead household?

8. What is the setup of The Seven Days? How does it work?

9. How does Milkman break up with Hagar?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The role of racism in the story is different as it seems almost as if it is accepted into society instead of rebelled against, as it is in so many other tales.

Part 1 - Describe 3 instances of racism in the story.

Part 2 - For each of these instances, describe whether or not the characters have accepted the racism. Why or why not?

Part 3 - When racism is accepted, can it ever be erased? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The Seven Days organization is one that seems to be based on the idea of revenge, rather than making things better. Morrison has created a system that seems to be evil, though a reader can understand the frustration.

Part 1 - Describe The Seven Days organization, what it does, and how it does it.

Part 2 - Name the characters who are in the organization as well as the days they are assigned to, if mentioned in the book.

Part 3 - Do you believe there are organizations that exist in this world like The Seven Days? Why or why not?

Part 4 - Are the members of The Seven Days bad people? Why or why not?

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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