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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 Robbins chase down Philamena himself when she runs away to Richmond a second time?

2. Why are the slave patrols formed?

3. Who is Skiffington's future bride?

4. Who becomes Henry's mentor despite Augustus' disapproval?

5. What place does Calvin dream of going to, in hopes that his passions will be reciprocated?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Skiffington meet at his boss, Patterson's, house and where is she from?

2. What or who does Robbins buy from Broussard?

3. Why does Caldonia insist that Moses begin coming to the house to give her nightly reports on the activities of the plantation?

4. Why does Calvin not shake the slaves' hands and what does he wish to do with his own slaves?

5. Why does Robbins continually raise his asking price for Henry Townsend's freedom?

6. What punishment did Henry demand for Elias after he attempted to run away? Why?

7. Why does Clara Martin suddenly become convinced that her slave, Ralph, wants to kill her?

8. Who asks Fern to take Henry on as a student? Why?

9. Why do Robbins and Henry visit Skiffinton's jail while Broussard is imprisoned there?

10. After Henry is freed, who teaches him the value of money and helps him make money with his bootmaking skills?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Caldonia begin an affair with Moses? Does Caldonia love Moses? Why or why not? How does learning of Moses' treatment of Celeste affect Caldonia's opinion of Moses? What does Moses do with his family when he begins an affair with Caldonia? Why? What does Skiffington believe Moses has done with his family? Why? Why does Moses barge in on Caldonia and ask why she has not freed him? Why does Moses believe Caldonia should free him? Will she? Why does Moses run away? Where does he go?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the underground railroad. What was the underground railroad? Who did it help? Was it dangerous? Who was in the most danger? What evidence of the railroad is found in this novel? Who was working the underground railroad in this novel? Why? Were these people caught? Why or why not? Who might these people have helped? What evidence is there?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Counsel Skiffington. Who is Counsel? What happens to Counsel's family? Where does Counsel go after this? Why? What happens to Counsel on his journey? What is unusual about these events? How does Counsel respond? Where does Counsel eventually settle? Why? How does Counsel perform at his new job? Is his reaction to pleas for help from the black community favorable? How does this reaction reflect Counsel's personal opinion of blacks? Why does Counsel kill his cousin?

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