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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who has Oceola met in the place she moved to in the beginning of Chapter 4?

2. Where is the school that Pete will attend?

3. Who narrates Oceola's personal history?

4. Who does Oceola write to about her engagement news?

5. What passion does Mrs. Ellsworth think Oceola needs to remove from her life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Various characters add different shades of complexity to "The Blues I'm Playing." They all provide something worth analyzing in the context of the main events of the plot as well as their influence on the main characters. Choose a character from the story other than Mrs. Ellsworth and Oceola, and explore their influence on the main characters (Oceola and Mrs. Ellsworth). How has this character affected Mrs. Ellsworth and/or Oceola? How does this character influence the events of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Marriage is usually a very happy occasion, but Mrs. Ellsworth reacts unhappily to news of Oceola's engagement. There are various reasons that could explain why she is so unsupportive of the engagement. List some of those reasons, and explain why. Why does Mrs. Ellsworth think Oceola's career will be over once married? What did marriage mean to Mrs. Ellsworth in her own life? Make sure you answer all questions using examples from the story to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Oceola is another main character of "The Blues I'm Playing." Her complex character has different traits in comparison to Mrs. Ellsworth, though they share a passion for music. What is Oceola's personal background? How does her background affect her view on art? How has her background formed the person she is now? Make sure you answer each question and use examples from the story to support your answer.

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