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

2. What happens when Captain Lane Haywood gets up on the roof to handle the fire better?

3. According to Cornel West, why do gunfighters become heroes?

4. Who shoots Walter Park, according to the African-American woman in the car behind him?

5. According to Cornel West, what difference do black men have over black women, which therefore makes them heroes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Maxine Waters' reactions to the riots. What does she do, what statements does she give out, and what is her stand in general?

2. Describe Elvira Evers' story. How is she affected by the events surrounding the Rodney King trial?

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

4. 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.

5. How does Gladis Sibrian look at the riots that happened after the Rodney King trial?

6. Describe why Harland W. Braun was reluctant to take on the case of defending Theodore Briseno, a defendant in the Rodney King trial.

7. Why does Twilight Bey stay up all night? Why do people call him "twilight"?

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

9. How does Mike Davis describe the changes he has seen in California since his childhood? How are these changes connected to the youth in general?

10. What does "execution style" refer to? How is it significant in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

Elvira Evers has a very interesting story about how her baby came to be born. How does the book paint Elvira Evers based on the descriptions and the situations cited? Is she religious, bitter, or brave? What can be deduced of Elvira Evers' personality based on the book?

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This section contains 1,437 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample