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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 journalist turns Elaine's cause into a personal crusade?

2. Who begins teaching classes as Bedford Hills prison in Chapter 15?

3. Which couple is introduced in Chapter 10 as joining a program to let a prisoner's child stay with them for a week?

4. What is the return address on most of the letters that Elaine receives in prison in Chapter 11?

5. Who is Cassandra and what does she give Elaine as a welcome home present?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Alfonso Camacho's background? Do you think Alfonso Camacho is a good parole officer? Why or why not?

2. Describe Project Renewal.

3. Describe the appearance of Charlie, also known as George Deets.

4. Describe Lora Tucker.

5. Describe the vehicle that brings Elaine to Bedford Hills Prison.

6. What does Elaine choose to wear in Chapter 1.

7. Describe Jamel's appearance when Elaine visits him at Riker's Island.

8. Why does the chart at the police department have Elaine two inches taller than she really is?

9. Explain the Rockefeller drug laws.

10. Elaine searches Apartment 13B for signs of her mother. What does she find?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does poverty and race play in Elaine's arrest, conviction, and sentencing? Does it play a role in her initial denial for clemency? Explain your answer, providing supporting information from the book.

Essay Topic 2

During Part 3 of the book, Elaine makes many decisions. Sometimes she is breaking minor rules of her parole. Other times, she makes questionable decisions regarding her family. Pick one situation in which you believe that Elaine made the wrong decision or took the wrong action. Do you understand why she makes the decision that she does? In your opinion, what would have been a better option for Elaine and why?

Essay Topic 3

In the "Author's Notes," author Jennifer Gonnerman states that she relies largely upon her own observations in the telling of Elaine Bartlett's story. Do her observations color the story or is she able to maintain objectivity in the telling of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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