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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 Mrs. Benton say about Selina?

2. How does Selina display her grief for her father?

3. What does Selina wonder when Ina makes her major announcement without exhibiting much excitement?

4. Whom does Selina seek comfort with following her bad experience at the Benton house?

5. What does Selina do at her home after leaving Clive's apartment for the last time?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Selina think about the Association?

2. Why does Suggie warn Selina to stay away from the Barbadian Association?

3. Why does Selina decline the Association scholarship?

4. What kind of symbolism is embedded in Selina's new job?

5. Does Selina's experience with the Modern Dance Club reinforce Clive's belief that the White people who belong to it are racists?

6. What does Clive's relationship with his mother teach Selina about her own relationship with her mother?

7. Why does Selina call her mother "Hitler"?

8. Why does Selina finally leave Clive?

9. Why does Selina go to her first Association meeting?

10. How does Selina surprise herself when she meets Clive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The topic of sexuality appears often throughout the book. How does it relate to Selina's coming of age? Which elements or shifts does Selina experience in her understanding of sexuality as she is growing up? Give an overall time line of Selina's knowledge, and sum up her status by the end of book. Does she have a full understanding of sexuality? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Religion and poverty are important issues in Brown Girl, Brownstones. How are the two tied together? Does religion impact any character's view or relationship with money? Does poverty prompt some of the characters to seek religion? Why?

Essay Topic 3

What is the pivotal moment in Selina's life that changes her entire future? Is there more than one? Define Selina's pivotal moments, and analyze how they change her.

(see the answer keys)

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