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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. On what slave ship was Ajarry taken from her homeland?

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

3. For how much money did a representative from the Randall plantation buy Ajarry?

4. What does the doctor say led to James's death in "Georgia"?

5. How old is the "negro girl" that is being sought on the reward poster in the opening of "South Carolina"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the author introduce certain chapters in the novel with "Reward" postings?

2. Where does Cora stay to remain hidden in "North Carolina"? How is this setting described?

3. How did Arnold Ridgeway come into his profession?

4. Why does Sam suggest that Cora and Caesar need to get back on the train going north in "South Carolina"?

5. What do Cora and Caesar discuss when they first meet at the social in "South Carolina"?

6. What happens to Lovey during the escape from the Randall plantation?

7. What is Ridgeway's association with the Randall plantation?

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

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

10. Discuss the narrative style of the novel. From what point of view is the narrative related? What effects does this narrative style have?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's use of symbolism and imagery in The Underground Railroad. What are some prominent symbols that appear in the work? What do they represent? What are examples of similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeia used? How do these examples serve the work?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss Cora as the protagonist of The Underground Railroad. What characteristics does Cora exhibit when her character is introduced? What makes Cora a "stray"? How does Cora's character develop over the course of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the setting of the Randall plantation. How many slaves work on the plantation? How are the circumstances of the slaves on the plantation illustrated? How do the circumstances on the plantation change after the death of Old Randall and James Randall?

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