View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is so special about the item in #74?

2. Where do Macon and Pilate decide to sleep?

3. What is the name of the baby delivered in #6?

4. Why does Milkman do things to be unlike his father?

5. Where does Milkman find Guitar?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the job that First Corinthians takes?

2. What is the explanation that Susan Byrd gives for her behavior the previous time that Milkman visited?

3. How does Hagar get the money to buy things to make herself pretty?

4. What are Pilate and Milkman supposed to do with the bones Pilate found in the cave?

5. Why does Milkman receive a much different reception when he enters the General Store the second time?

6. What does Circe reveal about Macon that Milkman does not already know?

7. What does Milkman receive when he enters the General Store?

8. Why is Guitar having troubles with his assignment with The Seven Days?

9. Why does Milkman decide to travel to Danville?

10. Why doesn't Solomon bring Jake to Africa with him?

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 women in this story seem to be quite different, especially those in Milkman's life. Through his interactions with women, he becomes the man he grows up to be.

Part 1 - Describe the relationship between Milkman and Ruth.

Part 2 - Describe the relationship between Milkman and Pilate

Part 3 - Of these two relationships, which one seems to affect Milkman the most?

Part 4 - What is the relationship between the two women? Does this affect Milkman?

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)

This section contains 747 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample