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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. Who is Dreenie?

2. What is one thing different about Natalie?

3. About what do Dreenie and Willie argue?

4. To what does Dreenie compare Natalie's skin?

5. How does the narrator describe Willie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dreenie think she is and how does she feel about her sister's status with others? Where do they go to school?

2. Why does Dreenie have an argument with her sister as they are walking?

3. What does Dreenie convince her mother to let her do about her father?

4. With whom is Dreenie spending time in Chapter 3 and why is Dreenie uncomfortable?

5. Who is Dreenie's best friend, what does she do to impress people and what sent her sobbing to the bathroom?

6. What does Dreenie notice about Bluish's attendance in school?

7. For what does Dreenie's mother lightly chastises her?

8. What does Tuli do when she sees Dreenie and Willie on the street and what happens?

9. Where is Dreenie and her sister at the beginning of Chapter 1 and what does the place look like?

10. Why is Dreenie fearful of Bluish?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bluish is initially disappointed when hearing that she was the subject of the class that day. In keeping with her previous characterization, Bluish simply wants to be treated like everyone else, and not as a freak or sideshow. However, she understands that it was important for the children's anxieties to be addressed. In this case, knowledge is power.

1. Why do you think it would bother Bluish to be the subject of a class discussion? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think wanting to be treated like everyone else is realistic considering Bluish's limitations? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do you think is meant by the statement that knowledge is power? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Dreenie organizes a surprise for Bluish, paying off the introduction of the knit caps in chapter four by having everyone jump up and don the caps for Bluish. This climactic act is a show of solidarity, an affirmation that the kids are firmly united with Bluish, who must wear the cap to cover her head gone bald from harsh chemotherapy treatments. In essence, the cap wearing is a sign that the children share Bluish's struggle. Bluish, along with Dreenie, have found their sense of place and belonging.

1. How do you think a show of solidarity is helpful to Bluish? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think is it important that everyone feels like they belong to something outside of themselves? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think the entire class getting behind Bluish and accepting her is realistic? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The last pages promise rebirth and resurrection for the characters and especially for Bluish, and this promise is strongly (and conveniently) linked to the coming New Year and the upcoming spring season.

1. Discuss the metaphor of spring with the changes in Bluish's life. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the metaphor of spring with the changes in Dreenie's life. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss three instances of symbolism or metaphor in "Bluish". Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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