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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. Why does Tommy not want to go to Johnson City State College?

2. How does Luvenia's mother feel about Miss Etta?

3. Who is Tommy's grandfather?

4. Where is Shep when Malcolm finds him?

5. What is the name of Florenz's best friend?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Luvenia do for the Deetses, and what does she hope this job will do for her?

2. What does Shep blame for his addiction to drugs?

3. What makes Malcolm feel that he is finally on his way in life?

4. How does Malcolm get to the family reunion?

5. What happens to Glory Field after the family reunion?

6. What does Planter leave for Malcolm when he dies?

7. Why does Luvenia not want to move to Glory Field with her family?

8. How does Luvenia feel about big cities?

9. What does the North symbolize for many black people at this time in history?

10. What does Luvenia say the difference between black people and Negroes is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does symbolism play in the story and where does it appear? How is the plot altered by the presence of these symbols?

Essay Topic 2

Responsibility and coming of age are two themes that are interwoven in many places of this plot. Where do these themes appear, and how do they work together to move the plot along?

Essay Topic 3

How does Malcolm's relationship with his family change over the course of the plot? What causes these changes, and what significance does this have to the outcome of the book?

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