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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 city does Sam leave for?

2. When does James' stepfather visit them?

3. What religion was James' father?

4. Who does James interview in his book?

5. What sits outside of Ruth's apartment after Hunter dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Jame McBride's family life.

2. How does Ruth's life take a turn for the worse when the family moves to Virginia?

3. Describe the cool father at the end of Chapter 4.

4. Describe Ruth's school years.

5. Why did James think his mother was strange?

6. Why does James hit the boy he meets on the bus?

7. How did Ruth and her family live in America when they first arrived?

8. How does Ruth's friend, Frances, support her?

9. How does Peter change Ruth's life?

10. Describe the character of Daddy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss differences between the novel and autobiography formats. What are the main elements of a novel? What are the main elements of an autobiography? What can novelists express that an autobiographer cannot? How can autobiographies keep to the facts while still maintaining a level of entertainment?

Essay Topic 2

Compare McBride's character to his mother's character. What are their similarities and differences? What did James learn from his mother? How did James' mother's situation and personality motivate her?

Essay Topic 3

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his goals and motives. Does he achieve his motive? Why? Does he share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

(see the answer keys)

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