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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. The poem entitled "Cross" focuses on the experience of what type of person?

2. The poem "Troubled Woman" likens the subject to a flower in what season?

3. What tool does John Henry hold in his hand within the poem entitled "Love"?

4. An allusion to which famous person is NOT included within the poem entitled "Scottsboro"?

5. What is NOT a theme depicted in the poem entitled "Freedom's Plow"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In what way is the theme of peace depicted in the poem called "Death of an Old Seaman"?

3. How are sensory details incorporated into the poem "Daybreak in Alabama" and for what purpose?

4. How is the theme of family bonds depicted within the poem entitled "Mother to Son"?

5. In what way is the theme of racially-motivated brutality present within the poem entitled "The Bitter River"?

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

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

8. What action does the speaker of the poem entitled "October 16:The Raid" want the reader to take regarding John Brown?

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

10. What is the main literary device Hughes uses within the poem entitled "Joy"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Hughes's messages about guilt and responsibility within the collection Vintage Hughes. Focus especially on events such as Cora’s inability to save Jessie from her hateful and reputation-obsessed mother.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the instances of irony within the collection entitled Vintage Hughes and analyze Hughes's purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Mrs. Ellsworth’s character within the story entitled "The Blues I’m Playing"? Discuss the characterization methods used by Hughes in depicting Mrs. Ellsworth and include in your discussion the reasons that Hughes portrays Mrs. Ellsworth in these particular ways.

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