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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. After five days, Gifty’s mother finally eats some food and asks Gifty if she does what?

2. Who was Gifty’s boyfriend, who told her she could explain her work to him the hard way?

3. Who did Gifty’s mother suggest she write letters to in Chapter 10?

4. What is the scripture that Gifty says gave her trouble in Chapter 10?

5. In the letters to God, who does impressions of The Black Mamba?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Gifty and Katherine have in common?

2. What events made Gifty feel that a “particular kind of shame had descended on [her] congregation” (131)?

3. Though Gifty’s mother did not think they should have to purchase corn syrup for a school experiment, why was she upset when the teacher gave Gifty a bottle?

4. Gifty and Anne become good friends. Describe how Anne describes Gifty at the end Chapter 26.

5. In Chapter 7, what did Gifty tell her classmates about her grandfather?

6. How does Gifty’s mother describe the Chin Chin man?

7. Gifty said her mother noticed America changed around Big Black men. How did Gifty’s mother say her father’s behavior changed in response?

8. What is foreshadowed at the end of Chapter 24?

9. What does Gifty’s mom think of mental illness?

10. In Chapter 2, who calls Gifty from Alabama and what does he tell her about her mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the paragraph on page 46 about her memories of Chin Chin. What does this tell readers about her portrayal of him in the novel? Is it reliable?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the moment when Gifty is saved in Chapter 29 and 30. Discuss what was happening in her life at the time.

Essay Topic 3

Chapter 19 describes a moment when Gifty begins thinking more deeply about faith. Describe Pastor Tom (P.T.) and his part in this moment for Gifty.

(see the answer keys)

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