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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. What statement does the anonymous juror from Simi Valley make about his involvement in the Rodney King trial?

2. According to Mike Davis, what does the gang truce signify?

3. What statement does Allison make about the police and their style when it comes to killings?

4. Sheinbaum heard women screaming about people coming into the building. At that same time, what comes through the seven to ten-foot high plate glass windowpanes?

5. What is Proposition F?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Stanley K. Sheinbaum's observations on the day the verdict was given.

2. Describe Daryl Gates' popularity ratings. How is it affected by the riots? What is it before, and what is it after the riots? What is the cause of the change? How does he feel about it?

3. Describe Josie Morales' participation in the Rodney King story. How does she come to witness the beating and what is her story about it? Describe her efforts in becoming a part of the trial, and describe the results of her efforts.

4. How does the Hollywood agent feel when the verdict comes out? How does he describe the scenes he witnesses?

5. How does Mrs. Park describe her behavior during her husband's ordeal?

6. Describe Mrs. Young-soon Han's realizations about the events surrounding the Rodney King trial. Do her feelings towards America change before and after the trial? What changes happen?

7. Describe Elaine Brown's stand on guns.

8. What is Bill Bradley's stand on race relations in the United States?

9. Describe Katie Miller's stand on the looting and the looters in general.

10. Describe Betye Saar's impression of the events on the day of the verdict.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stanley K. Sheinbaum discusses the "premonitions" he has encountered during the day the riots erupted. Are these indicators (premonitions) common among the characters in the story? Do these characters interpret these premonitions in the same way, or does it vary according to race or occupation? Cite specific examples/statements in the story to support the answer.

Essay Topic 2

A young female student from the University of California describes her ordeal at the time the riots broke. She describes how fearful she was for her safety and ironically, she discussed how fearful she was for her father's car. What can be deduced about this young student's personality based on the thoughts that are running through her head? Paint a profile of this young student and her position on racism. Specify which instances and statements illustrate her personality.

Essay Topic 3

The Rodney King story affected the whole nation. Is it something that happened because of the timing, i.e. even if it was not Rodney King there would have been some other event that would have resulted in the same outrage and riots, meaning to imply that society at that time was ripe for a disturbance? Or is it unique to the issue, which would have resulted in the same results even in a different time?

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This section contains 1,632 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample