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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. How many boxing rounds had Griff completed when he thought he had completed a different number?

2. On what day of Clinton Smith's freedom from Nickel did he decide it was safe enough for him to hitchhike?

3. What object was NOT associated with Turner's explanation to Elwood of what "out back" means at Nickel?

4. To what word did Turner keep returning when he thought about Elwood's personality?

5. In Chapter 11, Denise and Elwood watched which movie together that starred Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier?

Short Essay Questions

1. The narrator begins Chapter 12 by stating that "There were four ways out of Nickel" (144). What were they?

2. How did Elwood meet Denise?

3. What does the set of "Chipwick's British Classics" (84) symbolize within the novel?

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

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

6. 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?

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

8. What quality did Harper name as the most important one for a Community Service work detail member to possess?

9. What happened on Christmas Day that caused the Nickel boys to feel "like boys from nice houses in nice neighborhoods" (116)?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the themes of deception and secrecy function within The Nickel Boys and what is Whitehead’s message regarding these themes?

Essay Topic 2

What ultimate message is Whitehead sending about the nature and value of compassion?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,177 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample