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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. In Chapter 8, the administration fights with Pat Conroy about what?

2. Who is the tallest basketball player at the Yamacraw school?

3. Why did Uncle Charlie cut his cat's head off?

4. What news does Howard Sedgwick give Pat Conroy in Chapter 11?

5. Why does Lincoln hog-tie his dog?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pat Conroy hope for the children of Yamacraw Island?

2. Why does Pat Conroy allow teachers from the mainland into his classroom?

3. How does Pat Conroy's popularity as a teacher affect Mrs. Brown?

4. Why were some people in Washington D.C. surprised by the children of Yamacraw Island?

5. How is Mrs. Brown affected by the power of being principal?

6. Why does Pat Conroy get fired at the beginning of Chapter 11?

7. Why are the scenes where the parents object to the children going to Washington D.C. familiar?

8. By Chapter 11, why might the neighbors object to Pat Conroy and Barbara?

9. How does Dr. Piedmont treat Pat Conroy in his second year at Yamacraw Island and why?

10. What method of teaching does Pat Conroy claim to use to appease Mrs. Brown?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay supporting or refuting the following statement, citing examples from the text: When Pat Conroy tries to keep the peace with Mrs. Brown at the school, he is doing the children a disservice.

Essay Topic 2

Examine Pat Conroy's concern that the children of Yamacraw are not treated fairly by their country.

1) What opportunities do the children lack?

2) Who is willing to help them get ahead?

3) Why does their struggle for success seem hopeless?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the relationships between whites and blacks during the time period of "The Water is Wide."

1) What time period is it and what is happening politically in the United States?

2) How do whites feel about blacks?

3) How do blacks feel about whites?

(see the answer keys)

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