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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From what object were the two boys hung to whom the poem "The Bitter River" is dedicated?
(a) A lamp post.
(b) A tree.
(c) A flag pole.
(d) A bridge.

2. To whom does the speaker of the poem "The Negro Mother" speak?
(a) Her children.
(b) Her mother.
(c) Future America.
(d) Her nieces.

3. The poem "America" focuses on which two marginalized groups?
(a) African-Americans and gay people.
(b) African-Americans and Jewish-Americans.
(c) African-Americans and Mexican-Americans.
(d) African-Americans and women.

4. What type of business had the speaker of the poem "Madam's Past History" run for a while before moving on to a different business?
(a) A bookstore.
(b) A bar.
(c) A restaurant.
(d) A hair salon.

5. In the poem entitled "Words Like Freedom," what other word in the poem is italicized, besides the word "freedom" (67)?
(a) Liberty.
(b) Justice.
(c) Solvency.
(d) Pride.

Short Answer Questions

1. The "bitter river" (50) in the poem of the same name is said to "reflect no" (50) what?

2. The poem entitled "Freedom's Plow" repeats several times that it is better to die free than to what?

3. The poem entitled "Share-Croppers" has stanzas that contain how many lines within each?

4. How many rooms does the house have that is featured in the poem entitled "Madam and the Rent Man"?

5. About what type of violence does the poem entitled "Who but the Lord" revolve?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is irony utilized within the poem entitled "The South"?

2. In what way does the speaker of the poem "Daybreak in Alabama" want to commemorate the beauty of the titular subject?

3. In what way is the water motif included within the very first poem in the collection?

4. How is irony used within the poem entitled "Ballad of the Fortune Teller"?

5. With what countries does the speaker of the poem "Good Morning Revolution" ally himself?

6. In what way is the theme of isolation depicted within the poem entitled "Little Old Letter"?

7. Which two marginalized groups are focused upon within the poem "America"?

8. The poem entitled "I, Too" is a response to a poem by what famous American author?

9. To what element does Hughes compare the object of a drum in the poem entitled "Drum"?

10. What types of sensory details are featured within the poem entitled "Graduation," and for what purpose are these details included?

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