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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "The Future of Time," Morrison uses repetition of what phrase?
(a) "Art is temporal."
(b) "The future is already catastrophe."
(c) "We are being bullied into understanding."
(d) "What will we think during those longer, healthier lives?"

2. What does Morrison say is a key reason for Western projections onto Africa?
(a) Africa's poverty.
(b) The persecution of indigenous Africans.
(c) Missionaries' quest to Christianize Africa.
(d) Western ignorance about Africa.

3. What does Morrison praise the National Endowment for the Arts for in "The Individual Artist"?
(a) Avoiding controversy.
(b) Encouraging patriotism in the arts.
(c) Funding art that everyone agrees is worthwhile.
(d) Taking risks on individual artists.

4. In "Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.," what does Morrison say is MLK's legacy?
(a) He inspired young people to become civil rights leaders.
(b) He taught the world that religious faith must translate into social action.
(c) He provided the motivation for both Black and white Americans to tear down racial barriers.
(d) He made it a compelling and ordinary act to take personal responsibility for preventing social harm.

5. In "Literature and Public Life," Morrison says that the public interest has been redefined as what?
(a) Class warfare.
(b) Extremism.
(c) Special interests.
(d) Private interest.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to "Harlem on My Mind," the term "postblack" refers to whom?

2. Morrison's discussion of Huckleberry Finn in "Black Matter(s)" is intended as an illustration of what?

3. In "The Future of Time," Morrison points to what two forces as responsible for our modern relationship to the future?

4. In "The In "The Nobel Lecture in Literature," Morrison speculates about how much more knowledge we would have if scholarship was not held back by what?

5. According to Morrison, identifying the race of a subject can have what unintended consequence?

Short Essay Questions

1. In “The Individual Artist," what does Morrison say is the unique value of the National Endowment for the Arts?

2. In “The Future of Time: Literature and Diminished Expectations," why does Morrison say it is important for us to turn our attention to the future?

3. According to Morrison's “Women, Race, and Memory," what are the assumptions behind infighting among women?

4. In her "Sarah Lawrence Commencement Address,” how does Morrison define dreaming and why does she think it is important?

5. In “Race Matters," why does Morrison say that she decided she needed a "home" and not just a "house"?

6. In “Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.," what does Morrison say that she wonders about MLK, and why?

7. In “Black Matter(s)," in what ways does Morrison say Africanism has become a "disabling virus"?

8. In “Racism and Fascism,” what does Morrison say are the characteristics of fascism?

9. In “Literature and Public Life," what does Morrison blame television for, and what does she propose as a solution?

10. What current problems with arts funding does Morrison identify in “Arts Advocacy”?

(see the answer keys)

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