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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 Michael's supervisor tell him about Jelly staying at Michael's house?

2. What neighbor is with Michael's mother in the street in Part IV?

3. What does someone give Michael's mother Ruth to try in Part III?

4. Who gets into a verbal altercation with the police at Desirea's in Part IV?

5. What is on the shirts that all the bouncers are wearing at the audition?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Michael's boss Manny say about the fact that Jelly is staying with him in Part III?

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

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

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

5. What good memory does Michael have of his father from his childhood?

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

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

8. How does Jelly's audition go?

9. What does Aisha tell Michael is the meaning of the spelling of Jelly's name, "Djeli?"

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When and how does Michael first become aware that Francis and Jelly are engaged in a romantic relationship with each other? What is his reaction and feelings about Francis and Jelly being a couple? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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

What is the dynamic between the police, in general, and the Black youth of the Park throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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