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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 speaker of the poem entitled Crowns and Garlands declares that he cannot take what action with regard to "Ralph Bunche" (139)?

2. How many poems within the collection Vintage Hughes include stage directions regarding a particular element of the poem's performance?

3. The mother character in the poem entitled "Without Benefit of Declaration" receives what object in lieu of her son?

4. The subject of the poem entitled "Kid in the Park" is described as what metaphorical punctuation mark at the start of the poem?

5. The trumpet player featured within the poem of the same name is said to play music that "is honey mixed with" (82) what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does the poem entitled Madam and the Census Man" display the theme of pride in identity?

2. To whom is the poem entitled "Late Last Night" addressed?

3. Discuss the appearance of the theme of redemption within the poem entitled "Life is Fine."

4. What historical figure is quoted within the poem that includes the lines "Who would be free/Themselves must strike/The first blow" (136)?

5. In what way is repetition utilized within the poem entitled "Song for Billie Holiday"?

6. In the poem that begins with three different interjections to do with "sorrow" and "pity" and "pain" (115), what type of eyes is terror said to have?

7. In what way could the poem "To Artina" be said to display a feminist message?

8. Characterize the two speakers within the poem entitled "Question and Answer."

9. What state is being described within the poem that contains as its first three lines the words, "Oh, what sorrow!/Oh, what pity!/Oh, what pain" (115)?

10. Discuss two examples of personification within the poem entitled "Georgia Dusk."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of hope within the collection Vintage Hughes. What is Hughes’s message regarding hope and how do you know?

Essay Topic 2

Determine Hughes’s message regarding the idea that racism acts as a barrier to understanding, to people's physical and emotional well-being, and to opportunity.

Essay Topic 3

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

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