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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. How do many of the children in the class feel towards Bluish?

2. With what does Dreenie decide to surprise Bluish?

3. Where is Dreenie sitting while waiting for other kids to arrive?

4. What do Dreenie, Tuli and Bluish pretend the visit to Bluish's home is concerning?

5. What does the class get as a reward for their presentations?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who decorated the Christmas tree in the classroom, what does Dreenie think of it and what has been added to the tree besides Christmas decorations?

2. About what does Bluish speak to the class, what does she give them and how do they respond?

3. Where do Tuli and Dreenie go with Bluish in Chapter 4 and how do Tuli and Dreenie act?

4. What lands on Bluish's arm and what does Max say that upsets her?

5. What does Dreena write about her time at Bluish's house with Tuli and Willie?

6. How do some of the students feel about Bluish?

7. Where does Dreenie invite Bluish and what does Bluish say about the invitation?

8. What is the surprise in class that Dreenie springs on Bluish?

9. What does Rita say to the girls about Bluish's nickname?

10. With whom does Tuli live, what does she do for a living, what does she cook the girls and what does she do after they eat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Willie is somewhat of a prodigy, and impresses teachers with her intelligence. Dreenie, by contrast, is "normal", and she is envious of the attention her sister gets and worried that she is a "dumbbell".

1. What do you think might be the difficulties a prodigy would face in life? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. If you are smarter than most people do you think it would be difficult not to feel superior to them? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think Dreenie's envy of her sister getting so much attention is a normal reaction? How do you think Dreenie might be able to overcome that envy? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Bluish's mom Rita confronts Dreenie and Tuli about what she perceives as Bluish's derogatory nickname. This episode foregrounds the importance of ethnic and cultural identity, with Rita defending her daughter against what, to her mind, is an attack on her heritage.

1. Do you think Bluish's mother was right to feel the way she did about Bluish's nickname from the children? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think an awareness of one's ethnic and cultural identity is important? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. How does Bluish's mother's idea about her daughter's nickgame illustrate the statement don't assume? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Tuli is a mirror of Dreenie and Bluish in that she is also acting out due to feelings of low self-worth or inadequacy. In this case, Tuli's fake accent and outrageous attitude is her way of trying to belong.

1. What do you think is meant by the statement that Tuli is a mirror? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think feelings of low self-worth or inadequacy causes Tuli to act out? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why is it important to children to feel like they belong in the group of other students? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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