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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 does Yolanda offer to teach Shirley?

2. What sounds does Andrew like to hear on Asphalt Hill?

3. What is one group that hangs out at Asphalt Hill?

4. What does Yolanda do to the biggest bully at school?

5. About what does Andrew dream?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one terrible thing that has happened lately?

2. What does Shirley say about double-dutch that causes Yolanda great discomfort?

3. How does Yolanda go about getting Andrew a new harmonica?

4. How is the cake when Yolanda returns from the park with Andrew?

5. How does Vic use music to make a connection with Andrew?

6. What does Yolanda go to the library to research and what does she learn?

7. Who is Andrew's teacher and why is she scolding him?

8. Why does Andrew go to Asphalt Hill?

9. What is Yolanda thinking about as the novel opens?

10. How does Yolanda respond to the cruel comments by the other children on the bus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Yolonda's Genius".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Yolonda's Genius". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Yolonda's Genius". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Yolonda's Genius is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "Yolonda's Genius" is successful as a learning tool? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Carol Fenner's western novels? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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