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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. 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) "My faith."
(b) "The oppression of my people."
(c) "This society."
(d) "My intelligence."

2. In describing his dinner at Elijah Muhammad's home, the author states, "I began to see that Elijah's power came from his" what?
(a) "Articulation and sense of logic."
(b) "Ambition."
(c) "Single-mindedness."
(d) "Ability to create a sense of calm."

3. What does the word "bulwark" mean in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) A rope attached to a roof.
(b) A fencing sword.
(c) A defensive wall.
(d) A chain.

4. What does the author describe as the subject of the Nation of Islam speeches he observed on the streets in "Down at the Cross"?
(a) Acceptance.
(b) Humility.
(c) Power.
(d) Love.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Down at the Cross," what does the author define as "the judges, the juries, the shotguns, the law"?

2. 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?

3. Whom does the author describe as having stated that "the cry of 'violence' was not raised... when the Israelis fought to regain Israel, and, indeed, is raised only when black men indicate that they will fight for their rights"?

4. Who is quoted as having said "It is better to marry than to burn" in "Down at the Cross"?

5. The author states in "Down at the Cross," "White people hold the power, which means that they are" what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes the author irritation during his dinner at Elijah Muhammad's home?

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

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

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

5. How would you describe the author's sense of anger in the beginning of "Down at the Cross"?

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

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

8. What elements of foreshadowing can be seen in the first part of "Down at the Cross"?

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

10. How does the author describe the setting of Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

(see the answer keys)

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