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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. What word from "Down at the Cross" means something continuing without pause or interruption?
(a) Petulant.
(b) Explicit.
(c) Incessant.
(d) Exuberant.

2. The author asserts in "Down at the Cross" that "a civilization is not destroyed by wicked people; it is not necessary that people be wicked but only that they be" what?
(a) "Ignorant."
(b) "Spineless."
(c) "Isolated."
(d) "Scared."

3. In becoming a successful Young Minister, the author describes his rivalry with whom, in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) His father.
(b) His younger brother.
(c) His older brother.
(d) His uncle.

4. What word from "Down at the Cross" describes a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one?
(a) Exaltation.
(b) Propagation.
(c) Metamorphosis.
(d) Delineation.

5. What does the author claim is the only thing to "cause any of those people to treat you as they presumably wanted to be treated" in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) "The ability to communicate with them."
(b) "The fear of your power to retaliate."
(c) "The power of attorney."
(d) "The ability for empathy."

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the author describe as the subject of the Nation of Islam speeches he observed on the streets in "Down at the Cross"?

2. What word from "Down at the Cross" refers to people who engage in dishonest and fraudulent business dealings?

3. What does the author say "catches up with kingdoms and crushes them" in "Down at the Cross"?

4. 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?

5. How late was the author when he arrived for dinner at Elijah Muhammad's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was Elijah Muhammad? What was his role within the Nation of Islam?

2. What differences does the author point out between Christianity and Islam in the second section of "Down at the Cross"?

3. What is the source of the author's anger and resentment toward his father?

4. How would you describe the central subject and structure of the first part of "Down at the Cross"?

5. What hypocrisies in Christianity and the Nation of Islam does Baldwin point out in "Down at the Cross"?

6. What "truth" does the author describe finding through this experiences with Christianity?

7. What is noteworthy about the quotes that open "Down at the Cross"?

8. How does the author compare his involvement in ministry with the thugs on the Avenue in "Down at the Cross"?

9. What does the author point out as the failings of Christianity and Islam in "Down at the Cross"?

10. In the second section of "Down at the Cross," the author points out many reasons that American society is not healed in relation to race. How does he propose it might become healed?

(see the answer keys)

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