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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Essie clean her nails?
(a) With a knife she keeps on her for protection.
(b) By soaking her fingers in soapy water.
(c) By cutting them down to the quick.
(d) By scouring them with a brillo pad.

2. What cliche does Laura quote to convince Essie?
(a) The Lord helps those who help themselves.
(b) The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
(c) Ask and ye shall receive.
(d) Ask not and you get not.

3. What scheme does Buddy suggest for making more money?
(a) Giving potential gambling numbers during the preaching.
(b) Cutting back on the bribes to the police.
(c) Telling the congregation that Essie is dying and needs help.
(d) Selling prayer shawls from "Jerusalem."

4. Why does Laura begin to sing?
(a) To cheer up Essie.
(b) To express how good she feels.
(c) To get the people's attention.
(d) To praise the Lord.

5. Who is evicted to make room for the church?
(a) Some drifters.
(b) A Southern family.
(c) Some rejects from Blecker Street.
(d) Some men moved in from the bowery.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the clerk give Essie when she pays off the Bible?

2. Why does Laura's resentment to Birdie Lee vanish?

3. To whom does Laura liken many of her personality traits?

4. What is ironic about Chicken-Crow-For-Day saying he has been washed clean and white by the love of God?

5. What would be an accurate description as to how Laura is described in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. A psychological aberration is a person who is called a sociopath. A very loose definition would be someone unconcerned with the consequences of his/her actions on others and who rationalize their actions. Who seems to have sociopathic tendencies as shown in chapter 10 and why do you say that?

2. How is the narration's description of the North being a Black mecca ironic?

3. In Chapter 20, Laura gives some details about her early childhood; in what way is Laura the same as her mother?

4. What do you think is the symbolism of the rock mentioned in Chapter 3?

5. Do you think Essie's journey towards spiritual enlightenment is helped or hindered by being thrown into jail?

6. How is the title of Chapter 34 related to the New Testament?

7. In Chapter 21, narration expounds on what it means to go "North" to Southern Negroes; summarize narrations statements.

8. How do Laura's and Essie's roles reverse in this chapter?

9. Which woman would you support in the argument about what to do with their first 2,000 dollars and why?

10. Why do you think Chapter 33 is titled "Watch with Me"?

(see the answer keys)

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