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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. What does Laura plan to do when cold weather hits?

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

3. Of what does Essie say there will be none?

4. How does Laura suggest they buy the Bible?

5. Over what do the women argue in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. The theme of greed is woven throughout the entire book. How is the theme is clearly introduced in Chapter 9?

3. What do you think is the significance of the title, "Judas in Scarlett"?

4. How is the title of Chapter 28, "Cross to Bear" relevant to Buddy and Laura's relationship?

5. 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?

6. What rationale does Laura use to try to convince Essie to start a church with her and does it seem a reasonable rationale?

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

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

9. What does Laura do to keep the cops from shutting down their church?

10. Why do you think something that seems such a minor detail should be mentioned, such as the fact that Birdie is always running to the bathroom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Money plays a large role in the choices the major characters make. Answer the following questions in a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Go through and cite at least six places where money is discussed. Briefly state the situation, who is involved and the decisions made.

2. Some people say that "money is the root of all evil" and others say that "the love of money is the root of all evil." Which saying do you think is applicable in this book? Why? Give examples.

3. Can money also be the root of much that is good? Give examples in the book where that idea seems true.

4. What are your conclusions about the role money plays in this book?

Essay Topic 2

In addition to much symbolism in this novel, there are also a number of metaphors. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Define metaphor and symbolism and compare the two using specific examples both from the book and other sources. Which do you feel is more effective? Which seems better at expressing the idea of an abstract concept? Why would you use one over the other--give specific examples.

2. For what do you think the mural of the Garden of Eden that is described in chapter 11 is a metaphor? Explain using specific examples. Does the metaphor work for you?

3. Write a real or hypothetical situation in your personal experience that includes one or more abstract concepts and then create a metaphor to express that experience. Next, choose a way to use symbolism in the telling of the experience. Which way seems more effective at portraying the experience?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment is contrasted to Laura's quest for physical/material gratification. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast the concepts of spiritual fulfillment versus physical/material gratification using both examples from the book and in your own experience.

2. Describe fully Essie's search for spiritual fulfillment, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

3. Describe fully Laura's search for physical/material gratification, using specific examples from the novel. Do you think she is successful by the end of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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