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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 do the men bring the sheriff from, in Chapter 2?

2. What is Spunk's last name?

3. Who is the main gossip in Chapter 1?

4. How do Joe's clothes fit him?

5. What does Joe say he plans to use to hurt Spunk?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the resolution of Hurston's story?

2. How does the point of view affect the reader's perspective in Chapter 1?

3. What sort of supernatural twist does Hurston give her story?

4. How does Joe react when Spunk seduces Lena? Do you think he would have reacted differently if Spunk had not been so intimidating?

5. Describe the scene surrounding Joe's death.

6. Describe the relationship between Joe and Lena.

7. Describe the events leading up to the end of Chapter 1 and the confrontation between Joe and Spunk.

8. What is the climax of Hurston's story?

9. Why does Spunk move Lena into the Bradley house?

10. Describe the differences between Joe and Spunk.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think Spunk and Lena are in love? What about Joe and Lena? Support your opinions with specific examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

What is the purpose of a foil in literature? Describe one character in Hurston's work that you believe is a foil of another character. Why do you think Hurston may have created characters that emphasize each other's qualities?

Essay Topic 3

What is the tone of "Spunk"? Why would Hurston choose to write the story in this type of tone? What impact does the tone have on the way the reader perceives the characters and sequence of events?

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