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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 describe the Bible she finds?
(a) One that has pictures.
(b) Worn but functional.
(c) Large, ornately decorated, and expensive.
(d) Small and easily held.

2. How does Laura suggest they buy the Bible?
(a) Collecting money on the street corner.
(b) She has no idea how they can afford it.
(c) Profits from her gambling.
(d) Asking the pimp down the street to buy it for them.

3. What does Essie watch while they are preaching and singing?
(a) For an indication that God is actually present.
(b) For anyone who seems to need encouragement to give.
(c) For potential robbers.
(d) The people who are watching them.

4. Over what do the women argue in Chapter 7?
(a) Laura using the money for booze.
(b) How to use the collection.
(c) Laura ruining the church's reputation.
(d) Which Bible to buy.

5. What would be a general description of Laura?
(a) Large breasted, sexual, sensual, and fond of her liquor.
(b) Tiny breasted, sexual, practical, goes to AA.
(c) A tall, six-foot, two-inch woman who loves sugared dates.
(d) Tiny breasted, sincerely religious.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Birdie Lee going to get?

2. Who has not yet bought any holy water?

3. What does Laura say Buddy is going to become?

4. Of what does Laura accuse Essie?

5. What central conflict does this chapter set up?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the relationship between CJ and Marietta compare to that of Laura and Buddy in Chapters 26 and 27?

2. Why do you think the drums always stop just before Laura makes her entrance?

3. What is ironic about Laura's thoughts about Buddy in Chapter 30?

4. Of what might the serpent with eyes that sparkle like diamonds in Chapter 11 be symbolic?

5. What might have changed the course of Laura's life if Essie had thrown the knife away when Chicken-Crow-For-Day throws away his weapons in Chapter 12?

6. How do you think the classic Aesop's fable about the tortoise and the hare seems to be a good metaphor for what is happening in Essie and Laura's life?

7. Why do you think Essie refuses to throw away her knife as Laura urges her to do?

8. 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?

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

10. What do you think is the significance of the title of Chapter 17, "Lights Out"?

(see the answer keys)

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