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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 the author claim to be by way of metaphor in the poem "Inside"?

2. In "Wesley Bad Boy Boone," Wesley says he has the longest list of excuses for missing what?

3. What famous music hall and theater where many black musicians and comedians started their careers is mentioned in "Long Live Langston"?

4. What does Sterling say he wants to be in "Sterling S. Hughes"?

5. Diondra says that her dad is not enthused about her artwork and wishes she'd do what instead, in "Diondra Jordan"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What led to Chankara's bruises in "Chankara Troupe"?

2. How is Sterling different from the other characters in the narrative?

3. How does Lupe describe her home life in "Lupe"? What is the poem "Brown Hands" about?

4. What is described in the poem "D-Train"?

5. How does Wesley describe Tyrone in "Wesley 'Bad Boy' Boone"?

6. Who does Janelle have a crush on? How does she compare herself to this individual in "Janelle Battle"?

7. What interaction do Janelle and Judianne have in the bathroom in "Janelle"?

8. What inner self does Diondra reveal in "Diondra Jordan"? What is her first poem about?

9. How does Gloria describe her life in "Gloria Martinez"?

10. Who does Lupe call after breaking up with her boyfriend in "Lupe"? What do they discuss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify and discuss metaphor and simile in the poems "Bruised Love" and "Zorro." What do the metaphors achieve?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of Mr. Ward in the narrative. Why does Mr. Ward not have a monologue or poem in the narrative? How is he described by the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the characters of Wesley and Tyrone and discuss the narrative style of the novel. How does the author distinguish between the different voices in the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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