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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. To which of the following does Geoffrey compare his mother?

2. What is the name of Ailey’s first high school antagonist?

3. What is the name of Kiné’s mother?

4. Which college is Ailey’s cousin Malcolm expected to attend?

5. Into which of the following colleges does Chris enroll?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Micco come to own the land he holds?

2. What causes the death of Root’s mother?

3. Why does Geoffrey not wear slip-on shoes at work?

4. What does the novel imply is the meaning of “siddity”?

5. Summarize the story Helen tells Aggie about menstruation.

6. Why does Root dislike homecoming at his college?

7. Why do Diane and her husband separate?

8. Kiné’s father holds the rank of marabout; what does that rank signify in the novel (131)?

9. How does Root meet his wife?

10. What is reported as Lydia’s favorite Christmas song?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is “the long-haired lady” Ailey remarks upon seeing throughout her life? How does the text indicate as much?

Essay Topic 2

To what extent can the novel be taken as autobiographical? What in the novel and its context of composition suggests as much, and how does it do so?

Essay Topic 3

Sources attest to the presence of The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois on bestseller lists. Assuming that sales figures reflect popularity, what accounts for the popularity of the novel? How does it do so?

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This section contains 450 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample