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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Down at the Cross," what does the author define as "the judges, the juries, the shotguns, the law"?
(a) "White society."
(b) "Power."
(c) "Legality."
(d) "Freedom."

2. How old was the author when two police officers amused themselves with frisking him, according to the story in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) 19.
(b) 10.
(c) 12.
(d) 16.

3. What does the author say "changes, totally and forever, the nature of reality and brings into devastating question the true meaning of man's history" in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) "The threat of social evolution."
(b) "Hope itself."
(c) "The ambition toward a freer world."
(d) "The threat of universal exctinction."

4. What word from "Down at the Cross" means impossible to stop or prevent?
(a) Inexorable.
(b) Deplorable.
(c) Inexcusable.
(d) Plausible.

5. When dd Elijah Muhammad die?
(a) 1980.
(b) 1975.
(c) 1969.
(d) 1965.

6. What qualities does the author claim Elijah Muhammad has invested in his followers in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) Worry and doubt.
(b) Peace and humility.
(c) Pride and serenity.
(d) Caution and fear.

7. The author states in "Down at the Cross," "I certainly could not discover any principled reason for not becoming a criminal, and it is not my poor, God-fearing parents who are to be indicted for the lack but" what?
(a) "The oppression of my people."
(b) "My intelligence."
(c) "My faith."
(d) "This society."

8. Where does the author claim he was when a bartender refused to serve him and some friends in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) The Sam Houston Airport.
(b) The J.F.K. airport.
(c) The Chicago O'Hare airport.
(d) The La Guardia airport.

9. Who is quoted as having said "It is better to marry than to burn" in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) St. Andrew.
(b) St. George.
(c) St. Paul.
(d) St. Peter.

10. What kind of athletic career does the author describe pursuing but not succeeding at in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) Basketball.
(b) Prize-fighting.
(c) Baseball.
(d) Football.

11. When was the Nation of Islam founded?
(a) July 4, 1936.
(b) July 4, 1961.
(c) July 4, 1940.
(d) July 4, 1930.

12. On what day of the week does the author describe visiting Elijah Muhammad in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) Friday.
(b) Thursday.
(c) Monday.
(d) Sunday.

13. What author does the narrator describe beginning to read when he began losing his faith in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) Homer.
(b) Nietzche.
(c) Kant.
(d) Dostoevski.

14. For how long did the author remain on the pulpit as a Young Minister?
(a) Over 3 years.
(b) Less than a year.
(c) Less than 6 months.
(d) About 2 years.

15. The author claims in "Down at the Cross" that two things caused him to begin listening to the Muslim speakers. What was the first thing?
(a) The Vietnam War.
(b) The Police.
(c) World War II.
(d) The Presidential elections.

Short Answer Questions

1. When did Elijah Muhammad tell the author that the white man's time had been up, but that it had been the will of Allah that the black man be redeemed by his white masters?

2. The authors writes in "Down at the Cross," "Yes, it does indeed mean something - something unspeakable - to be born, in a white country, and Anglo-Teutonic, antisexual country, black. You very soon, without knowing it, give up all hope of" what?

3. When was Elijah Muhammad born?

4. During what years did Elijah Muhammad lead the Nation of Islam?

5. In becoming a successful Young Minister, the author describes his rivalry with whom, in "Down at the Cross"?

(see the answer keys)

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