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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. How does the author describe his feelings about "a separate black economy in America"?
(a) "Willfull, and even mischievous nonsense."
(b) "An ideal to attain."
(c) "A true possibility if there were enough cooperation."
(d) "A cautionary warning."

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

3. About how old does the author describe the female pastor as being when he met her in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) 25-30.
(b) 45-50.
(c) 55-60.
(d) 65-70.

4. The author writes in "Down at the Cross," "It was absolutely clear that the police would whip you and take you in as long as" what?
(a) "You were hiding something."
(b) "You were not one of them."
(c) "You were guilty."
(d) "They could get away with it."

5. The author states in "Down at the Cross" that what "and heroism have been made synonymous except when it comes to blacks"?
(a) "Strength."
(b) "Love."
(c) "Violence."
(d) "Power."

Short Answer Questions

1. On what day of the week does the author describe visiting Elijah Muhammad in "Down at the Cross"?

2. What author does the narrator describe beginning to read when he began losing his faith in "Down at the Cross"?

3. What does the author claim to be the seeming "sum of our achievement" as humans, in "Down at the Cross"?

4. What qualities does the author claim Elijah Muhammad has invested in his followers in "Down at the Cross"?

5. How does the author respond when asked by the female pastor, "Whose little boy are you?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author describe his departure from Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

2. What parallels does the author draw between his father and Elijah Muhammad in "Down at the Cross"?

3. How does the author describe the racial perspectives in the Nation of Islam's belief system?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. How does the author perceive the expression of pain and suffering of blacks through Christianity?

(see the answer keys)

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