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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. Who is the groom's friend that reads his family's messages in "Wedding"?

2. What musical celebrity does Darling express disdain for in “Hitting Crossroads"?

3. What color is the mother of the bereaved wearing at the funeral in "For Real"?

4. Where has TK gone in "My America"?

5. What is Tshaka Zulu's short stabbing spear called?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reasons does Darling discover she cannot visit home in "Angel"?

2. How is the bride described in "Wedding"?

3. How would you describe the relationship between Darling and the grocery manager Jim?

4. What is illuminated through Darling's conversation with the white woman in the restroom in "Wedding"?

5. What happens in the exchange between Darling and Chipo in "Writing on the Wall"?

6. How is the character of Kristal described in the novel?

7. How is the setting of Shadybrook nursing home described?

8. How would you compare the settings of Detroit and Kalamazoo in We Need New Names?

9. Who is Tshaka Zulu and how is his character introduced?

10. What does Aunt Fostalina try to order in "Angel"? Why does she become frustrated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Chipo's circumstances in the novel. How old is Chipo when she becomes pregnant? Who impregnated her? How has Chipo's pregnancy affected her?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the narrative style of We Need New Names. From whose perspective is the story related? How does the narrative style transition in the different chapters? Which chapters step away from the main narrative and why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of coming-of-age in We Need New Names. How is this theme developed through character, setting, and action? How does the author contribute to this theme through symbolism and imagery?

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