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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. Why does Evers go to the hospital immediately after she walks home from work?

2. How does Rudy Salas, Sr. refer to his feelings of racism?

3. To what movie does the anonymous Hollywood agent compare the scene he sees in the garage with many people running?

4. What name does Angela King call her nephew, Rodney?

5. What reassurance does the police officer give to the jurors on the bus whom he is escorting to the courthouse?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does "lightning but no rain" refer to?

2. Jason Sanford believes that he would not have been beaten down if he went out on the streets after the Rodney King verdict because of how he looks. Give a possible description of Jason Sanford's looks, which makes him quite likable by the police.

3. Explain Salas' feelings of racism, and how it affects his daily life.

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

5. Describe the riot which changed Michael Zinzun's life for good. What are the changes brought about by this riot?

6. Describe Chung Lee, who he is, and how he was affected by the Rodney King riots.

7. Describe Joe Viola's experience on the day of the riots. What does he feel and how does he behave during the riots?

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

9. Describe Peter Sellars' comparison of his father and the United States. How are they alike, according to him?

10. Describe John, Murika, and Judith Tur's stories in relation to the beatings. What do they witness and how do they feel about the events they have witnessed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Koreans were prominently featured in the Rodney King story. What relevance do Koreans have that the other races in the neighborhood do not have? Is there something particular about them that is not present in the other races? Do Koreans play an important role in the Rodney King story, which prompted the author to feature them more than any other race?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Big Al's point of view and where his opinions and beliefs are coming from. Is there validity in his opinions? He says that there is nothing new about the Rodney King beating. Is this a sign of bitterness or of acceptance? What stand does he have regarding the Rodney King trials?

Essay Topic 3

Reginald Denny beautifully describes how he is able to see beauty in the midst of all the ugliness around him. Considering that he was painfully involved in the trials, it is very remarkable that he should behave and react that way after everything that happened. What does Denny have that the others don't, which makes him react and cope this way? Is his form of coping a sign of submission, acceptance, or of moving on? Is it healthy and is it ideal? Are there any lessons in Denny's story that can be considered a best practice by others?

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This section contains 1,498 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample