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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. What type of community does Claire tell Tengo she has created?

2. How old is Frikkie in Chapter 10?

3. Joseph says that black schools teach blacks ___________________________.

4. Why does Tengo end his relationship with his girlfriend?

5. Why is the person in #56 angry about Tengo's desire to go to school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Tengo conflicted about his personal desires and the issues for the greater good?

2. What does Tengo encounter one day when he arrives at school?

3. Who is Elijah and what groups does he invite Tengo to join?

4. How does Frikkie adjust to the changes occurring in his world?

5. What arises which makes Tengo lose focus on his studies?

6. What does Tengo suspect about Joseph who is rarely home these days?

7. What does Tengo think is the only thing that will change the lives of his family members?

8. What decision does Tengo struggle with after the school closes?

9. What do the oubaas notice about Tengo's mood in Chapter 7?

10. What does Tengo devote his time to when school starts again?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the overall setting for the stories in the book? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Gordon choose to use these places in the stories?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of man's inhumanity to man. Identify at least two characters in the book who either embody or experience man's inhumanity to man then cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

WAITING FOR THE RAIN is a classic coming-of-age story. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category?

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