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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 "A Letter to my Mother," the author writes of her mother having what in her arm?

2. What does Mr. Ward tell Tyrone he plans to do with the videotape of the poems in "Tyrone"?

3. Where did Steve's dad's family move when he was Steve's age, causing him to stop playing in a band in "Steve Ericson"?

4. Where does Janelle work as a tutor in "Janelle"?

5. What professional poet has Mr. Ward invited to read at the next Open Night Friday in "Steve Ericson"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is foreshadowed in Diondra's poem "Self-Portrait: A Poem for My Father"?

2. What passion motivates Steve in "Steve Ericson"?

3. How has Lupe's focus changed in the narrative by the time she reads "Imagine"?

4. What do each of the poets contribute to the poem "News at Five"?

5. How does Porscha learn to express herself in poetry through "A Letter to My Mother"?

6. What determination is expressed in "Doubtless"? How does this reflect Steve's life?

7. What does Porscha's character represent symbolically in the narrative? How does her character relate to Chankara's?

8. What happens at the assembly at the end of the school year, as described by Tyrone?

9. How are the characters of Sheila and Tanisha similar? How are they different?

10. What does Diondra's father become furious about in "Diondra"? What does she leave him in the hopes he will begin to understand her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss and analyze the themes of loneliness and friendship in "El Noche" and in the narrative. What symbolism represents these themes in the poem?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the symbolism and imagery in the poem "High Dive." What emotional sense does the poem exhibit?

Essay Topic 3

Identify and analyze alliteration and assonance in "Message to a Friend." How do these techniques create an aesthetic sound to the work?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 909 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample