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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 did Georgina tell her grandchildren never to do?

2. What is the name of Jacqueline Woodson's maternal grandfather?

3. Where was Jacqueline Woodson born?

4. Who was Thomas Woodson's mother?

5. What breakfast does the poet describe eating in "Bible Times"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is life in Greenville described in the poem "Ohio Behind Us"?

2. How is the house described in "The Ghosts of the Nelsonville House"? Where is Nelsonville?

3. How does the author describe her siblings in the poems "The Reader" and "Hope" from Part 1?

4. Who is the focus of the poem "Football Dreams"? What is related in this narrative?

5. Into what genres does Brown Girl Dreaming fall? How are these genres defined?

6. How does the author describe her feelings about the Bible and Christianity in "Bible Times"?

7. How is Odell described in the poem "Uncle Odell"? Who was named for Odell?

8. How does the author describe the names in her family in "Family Names"?

9. How is the unfolding Civil Rights Movement described in the poem "South Carolina at War"?

10. What was Gunnar Irby's profession? What struggles did he face in his job?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the themes of family and sacrifice seen in the memoir. What are some of the sacrifices that Georgiana has made for her children and grandchildren? What are sacrifices Gunnar has made? How has Mary Anne sacrificed for her children?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss some of the writers, poets, and activists that have influenced author Jacqueline Woodson. How are these figures described in the poetry of Brown Girl Dreaming?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the comparisons in the book of the North and South. Where was Jacqueline Woodson born? Where did she spend her summers growing up? What place in Jackie's life felt the most like "home" to her? Why?

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