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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. Who is the station agent that finds Cora in "North Carolina"?

2. What gift has Caesar brought to Sam when he and Cora are summoned to his house in "South Carolina"?

3. How long ago does the reward poster in the opening of "South Carolina" say the slave girl ran away?

4. What procedure does the doctor at the new hospital suggest to Cora in "South Carolina"?

5. Where has Caesar gotten work after arriving in South Carolina?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is revealed of Dr. Stevens's secret nighttime activities in "Stevens"?

2. Who were the two white people that prepared Caesar to run? How did they prepare him?

3. What led to Cora becoming a "stray"? What does this term mean in the narrative?

4. Describe the setting of the Hob. Who lives in this location?

5. Who is Martin Wells and how is his character described?

6. What happens when Cora goes to the train station in the end of "South Carolina"?

7. What is Ajarry's relationship with the protagonist? How is her character described in the novel?

8. What are the implications of James Randall's death?

9. How are the motifs of darkness and light explored in "North Carolina"?

10. How are Cora and Caesar greeted when they arrive in South Carolina?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Sam in The Underground Railroad. Where does Cora meet Sam? How does Sam help Cora and Caesar? What information does Sam relate when he later visits Cora at Valentine farm?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the opening "Reward" notices that appear in certain chapters of The Underground Railroad. Why do you think the author includes these notices? How do the notices serve the story? How do the notices change as the novel progresses?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss and analyze the character of Arnold Ridgeway in The Underground Railroad. What led Ridgeway to become a patroller and slave-catcher? For how long has he done this work? Why is he called to the Randall plantation?

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