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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 aspect of learning did Jacqueline Woodson struggle with growing up?

2. Where is the church that Mary Anne took her children to attend in Brooklyn?

3. Whose voice is described in the poem "Off-Key"?

4. The poem "Saturday Morning" explores Jackie's longing for Greenville through her descriptions of what aspect?

5. What does the poet describe Hope performing in "Hope Onstage"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the poet describe her learning methods in "Writing #2"?

2. Where did Jacqueline Woodson's family move after the death of Aunt Kay? How is this setting described in "Moving Again"?

3. What comparisons does the author make between New York and Greenville in the poem "New York City"?

4. What is a johnny pump? How does the author describe them in "The Johnny Pump?"

5. What made Jacqueline Woodson relate to the character of Stevie, as seen in "Stevie and Me"? Who is Stevie?

6. How does the author describe her aunt in the poem "Caroline But We Called Her Aunt Kay, Some Memories"?

7. Where does the author describe her family moving in Brooklyn in "Brooklyn, New York"? Why did they move?

8. Who is described as sporting afros in the poem "Afros"? Why was Jackie not allowed to wear this hairstyle?

9. What does the poet describe thinking about as she eats breakfast in "Saturday Morning"?

10. How does the poet describe the first notebook she found in "Composition Notebook"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jacqueline Woodson's time of birth. How does the author illustrate the atmosphere of this period in history? What major events occurred in the United States in the year the author was born? How did these events influence her life and culture?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the theme of ancestry and its importance in the narrative. How is Jacqueline Woodson influenced by her family’s ancestry and past? Why do you think ancestry is important?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the themes of pride, prejudice, and the American Dream in Brown Girl Dreaming. How are these themes embodied by Georgiana, Gunnar, Mary Anne, and Jackie? What symbolism and imagery in the narrative relates to these themes?

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