Mr. ferguson startled the class by requiring (it, them) to write short autobiographical poems.
a. it
b. them

The answer to that question is them. The class is a collective noun for a bunch of students that are learning from a teacher. Since we are referring to people, then we cannot use it because the noun it is used for inanimate objects. Pronouns like them are used to refer to people

Is there more to the question? i would if i knew the whole question. sorry : )

African american women