View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In 1955, Melba read about an African American who forced change. Who was that person and what did that person do?

2. Melba's mother was a teacher. What did she teach?

3. Which of the Little Rock Nine started to turn blue after entering the Central High office?

4. What does "amicus curiae" mean in "Warriors Don't Cry"?

5. What did Grandma India hit to scare off the men shooting at them?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was the first judge who ruled on the integration case in Little Rock? What was his background?

2. After two days stuck at home and not being allowed to go to school, what does Melba vow to do?

3. Who came to the Pattillo house the day after the first attempt at integration?

4. Why did Mrs. Bates shush Melba in Chapter Nine?

5. Describe the federal courtroom that Melba and the other eight students visited.

6. What happened when Melba called her friend Marsha on a Friday night?

7. Why did Melba want to meet Governor Faubus face to face?

8. How did the Little Rock Nine get to school on their second attempt?

9. What was Melba's father like and what work did he do?

10. What was Melba's disguise and why did she think she needed it for the wrestling match? Was she successful?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The white leaders of Little Rock refer to Little Rock people as "forward-thinking" and a place where white and African American people got along. These leaders thought that racism was not a problem because there hadn't been a lynching in the state for almost ten years. Melba believed the Little Rock of her youth was anything but progressive. Why did she say this? Why was there such a dichotomy in what people believed about 1950s race relations in Little Rock?

Essay Topic 2

School integration isn't as volatile an issue any more. Choose to write about other types of segregration present in schools today or whether racism against African Americans is still an issue that needs attention. Be certain to support your essay with facts.

Essay Topic 3

Although Melba and her family expected the white people to be against the efforts at integration, they were surprised to find that many people in their own community also disapproved of their actions. Explain why this is.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 919 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample