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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. In "Attendance," the author writes, "We are all here, / Leslie and Bad Boy, Lupe and" who?

2. What basketball team member brushes Devon off when he suggests he read poetry in "Devon"?

3. Who sends Lupe a note to ask if she's okay in "Lupe"?

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

5. What book does Janelle slip onto Devon's desk in "Devon Hope"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What commentary does Tyrone contribute after Lupe reads "El Noche"?

2. How does Judianne describe herself in "Judianne Alexander"?

3. What led up to the friendship between Leslie and Porscha in the narrative?

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

5. How does Janelle feel about performing poetry? What takes place when the students perform?

6. What do Janelle and Judianne represent archetypically in the narrative? How are they alike?

7. What similarities do Devon and Tanisha share?

8. How is mirror imagery used symbolically in the narrative?

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

10. How does Sterling describe himself in "Sterling S. Hughes"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the characters of Chankara and Raul in the narrative. What motivations drive each of these characters?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the imagery, structure and themes of "Black Box." How does the theme of judgment apply to the poem and to the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Identify and analyze symbolism in the poem "Brown Hands." How does symbolism relate to a poem's themes?

(see the answer keys)

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