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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 what year did Elwood move to New York City?

2. Chickie Pete suffered from an addiction to what substance?

3. With what punishment did Superintendent Spencer threaten Griff if he refused to lose the boxing match on purpose?

4. What kind of objects made up the "set of Chipwick's British Classics" (84) Elwood found in the schoolhouse basement?

5. Turner realized at the end of Chapter 10 that the Christmas light display at Nickel reminded him of the atmosphere of what location?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Whitehead employ foreshadowing in relation to the story about the escapee named Clayton Smith?

2. What kind of strike was happening in New York City upon Elwood's arrival in the city as an adult?

3. What bad news did Harriet deliver to her grandson Elwood in Chapter 12 when she came for a visit after missing one due to illness?

4. What physical problem of Elwood's is described in Chapter 11?

5. What happened to the money Elwood had saved up for college?

6. What annual tradition existed at Nickel that involved one white inmate and one black inmate?

7. For what reason did Elwood become angry at Chickie Pete during their reunion?

8. What new opportunity did Elwood receive at Nickel due to Turner's recommendation?

9. At what conclusion did Elwood finally arrive when he contemplated the reason for his vicious beating in the White House?

10. Who was Chickie Pete and for what purpose does Whitehead devise his character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sensory details are used frequently by Whitehead in order to create vivid pictures of the reformatory school central to the narrative of The Nickel Boys. Choose three scenes in which sensory details are heavily used and discuss how the sensory details used serve Whitehead’s creation of an effective novel setting.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the role of Elwood's grandmother Harriet within The Nickel Boys. How does Whitehead use Harriet's role to highlight themes included within the overall narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Read a lengthy interview with Colson Whitehead. Write an essay explaining the connection between several of Whitehead’s answers and a major theme presented within the text of The Nickel Boys.

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