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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. When was the Nation of Islam founded?

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?

3. What does the author describe feeling guilty about having in his pocket when he visited Elijah Muhammad in "Down at the Cross"?

4. When did the Tunisians rise up against the French, according to the author in "Down at the Cross"?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What is the subject of the hymn that opens "Down at the Cross"? How does this quote tie in with the essay's themes?

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

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

9. What parallels does the author draw between Christianity and Islam in "Down at the Cross"?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the title of the book. Where in the essays does the author cite a quotation that includes the book's title? What is referred to in this Biblical allusion? How does this quote relate to the themes in "Down at the Cross" and "My Dungeon Shook"?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of anger in The Fire Next Time. How is the author's own anger revealed in the essays? What does the author remark about the anger of others? How does the author perceive his own anger?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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