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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Down at the Cross," the author describes the adolescent changes that the girls undergo, saying that they no longer tease the boys but do what to them instead?

2. 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?

3. 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?

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. In what war does the author describe many of his friends enlisting in the service to fight in the beginning of "Down at the Cross"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author describe his religious faith to Elijah Muhammad in "Down at the Cross"?

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

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

4. What does the author describe discussing with his driver after leaving Elijah Muhammad's home in "Down at the Cross"?

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

6. What does the author remark about the Holocaust in "Down at the Cross"?

7. How would you describe the tone in the second section of "Down at the Cross"? How has the author's perspective changed?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the author compare Christianity with the beliefs and ideals of the Nation of Islam? In what ways are these religions similar to the author? How do they differ?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the life and career of author James Baldwin. What role did Baldwin play in the Civil Rights Movement? What are the major themes and subjects of Baldwin's essays, plays, and novels? Where did Baldwin live for most of his life?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the structure of "Down at the Cross." What is the thesis presented by the author in this essay? How does Baldwin go about proving his thesis? What is illustrated in the conclusion of the essay?

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