View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Laura accuse of killing Buddy?

2. What does Essie say to Laura?

3. What does Laura give Buddy for his birthday?

4. What does Laura suggest about Marietta?

5. What does CJ promise to Marietta?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Getting the most out of this novel requires some familiarity with the environment of Harlem during this era. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. What was Harlem? Who settled it originally and when did it become a predominantly African American borough?

2. How does Harlem of today differ from the Harlem at the time of the novel? How do you think this novel would be different if set in modern-day Harlem?

3. How does the setting of Harlem inform the plot and actions of this novel? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

The author continually foreshadows future events in earlier chapters. 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. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Is it necessary? Why do you think this author chooses to use a great deal of foreshadowing? Do you think he includes too much foreshadowing? Or not enough? Explain.

2. Choose two major events that occur near the end of the book and trace how those events have been foreshadowed. Was the foreshadowing successful? Was it necessary? If there had been no foreshadowing, would you have responded differently to the events?

3. Foreshadowing seldom is as clear in "real" life as in novels. Discuss the idea that much of life is foreshadowed using specific examples from your own or others' lives.

Essay Topic 3

This novel is replete with symbolism, especially religious symbolism of a Judea-Christian origin. 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. Describe all the symbolism around the River of Jordan, its relation to Christianity, its meaning to Blacks as originated with those in slavery in the United States, and how it is used in this novel.

2. Discuss the symbolic meanings of Tambourines in the novel, giving specific examples. How are Tambourines both a symbol of spirituality and materialism? Why do you think the author names the novel TAMBOURINES TO GLORY?

3. Discuss the idea of ascension and how it is symbolized in the novel. How does the idea of ascension differ depending on the character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 509 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample