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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. Where does Jelly actually take Francis following Jelly's audition?

2. Where does Michael's father live?

3. What does Jelly go out for after the party?

4. Who does Michael lose his virginity to?

5. What style of singing from Somalia does Jelly sample first in his audition?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jelly do as a show of good faith towards Michael in Part III?

2. What does Michael end up really liking about hanging out at Desirea's with Francis and the gang?

3. What happens when Francis and Michael go to try to find their estranged father in Part III?

4. What really upsets Michael when he comes home to find a party at his house in Part III?

5. What does Michael gradually discover about Jelly's and Francis's relationship?

6. Why do Francis and Michael end up freezing and soaked in a bus shelter in Part IV?

7. Why does Ruth get so upset when Michael puts tinfoil over their windows?

8. Why does Francis insist on speaking to the white-shirted promoter again after the end of the audition?

9. Why does Francis spend so much time at Desirea's?

10. Why does Michael go to find Francis at Desirea's in Part III?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Chariandy use tone and plot to build and sustain suspense throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

By the end of the novel, what does Michael seem to think about his own prospects and any hope of him achieving the "better life" that his mother wanted for both him and Francis? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How do Michael's and Francis's friends attempt to show Michael and Ruth support in the aftermath of Francis's death, and how do Ruth and Michael initially respond? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 656 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample