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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. Before Brown and Smith leave the jail, what does Jones want them to do?
(a) Promise to smuggle a knife in so he can escape.
(b) Give $20 and a note to the sergeant at the door.
(c) Arrange for better food to be brought to him.
(d) Say a prayer with him.

2. Why is Mr. Smith proud to be involved in Jones's release from jail?
(a) He wants to brag about it to Mrs. Smith.
(b) He feels like a law-breaker.
(c) He is thinking of justice and mankind.
(d) He admires Jones.

3. During the ship's night of entertainment, what does Mr. Baxter recite?
(a) A poem written by a fellow soldier.
(b) A poem he wrote himself.
(c) A poem written by an unknown German.
(d) A song from his childhood.

4. Whom is Brown visiting the military base near Santo Domingo?
(a) Mr. Athencourt.
(b) Mr. Peterson.
(c) Mr. Wilson.
(d) Mr. Smith.

5. What does Mr. Smith carry around for his wife?
(a) A traveling rug.
(b) A pillow.
(c) Her spectacles.
(d) Her medicine.

Short Answer Questions

1. Brown's pass is good only for one day, but this is not a problem. Why?

2. What is Martha's opinion of Jones's relation to her family?

3. Why does Dr. Philipot not want to flee the Tontons Macoute?

4. Angel is introduced in Part 1, Chapter 2. Who is he?

5. When Brown steps off the ship, who fills the port?

Short Essay Questions

1. Brown observes, following his disastrous conversation with Angel, that the quality which attracts him in a woman is not beauty but goodness. How is this similar to Jones's pursuit of virtue? Why does he find goodness in Martha?

2. Brown's first notice from his mother comes in the form of two sentences written on a postcard. How is this indicative of his relationship with her? What does this postcard tell the reader about her pride?

3. The Smiths knew that when Mr. Smith ran for president, he had very little chance of succeeding. Why are they still proud that he ran? How does this pride explain their characters?

4. Brown is aware of the ridiculous nature of three men with common names: Jones, Smith, and Brown. What does this tell the reader about Brown's view of the story?

5. In Part 1, Chapter 5, Brown notes that he cannot remember Martha's voice, though he can picture her handwriting. What clue does this give the reader about their relationship?

6. After Philipot's body is removed from the pool, Joseph cleans the pool so Mr. Smith can swim. Mr. Smith passes very close to where the body had crouched, and Brown cringes to think of the two scenarios. How is this, in a succinct fashion, an indication of the story?

7. Both the Secretary of State and Jones are confused by the idea that Jones would be charged with something. How is this indicative of Haitian politics? How does Brown's narration of the scene explain his view of it?

8. When Brown and Mr. Smith visit the Secretary of State, hoping to free Jones, how is Brown successful? Why is Mr. Smith's bluntness ineffective?

9. With the thought that Doctor Philipot's spirit might be hovering around the body, hoping for an encouraging word of send-off, Brown purposely speaks trivial words about eating eggs in the morning. What does this tell the reader about his perception of death? How does it fit the tone of the book?

10. In his mother's desk, Brown finds a disk which Doctor Magiot recognizes as a medal of the resistance. What does this reveal about his mother?

(see the answer keys)

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