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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 sad realization does Birdie come to at the end of Chapter 13?

2. Why doesn't Birdie tell her Aunt Dot where Sandy is living?

3. What does Birdie notice about her mother's hair in Chapter 14?

4. In Chapter 9, which character does Sandy blame for the break up of her family and her "persecution"?

5. Who hosts the party that Mona and Birdie attend in Chapter 14?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nicholas offend Birdie in Chapter 10?

2. Why is Birdie taunted by a group of boys in Chapter 12?

3. How is the class difference between Birdie and Nicholas demonstrated in the novel?

4. Describe Birdie's conversation with Samantha at Dennis' party.

5. Who is Jim?

6. What does Birdie do after Dennis' party?

7. Describe Corvette.

8. What reaction does Birdie expect her mother to have about her absence?

9. How does Ronnie Parkman help Birdie find her father?

10. What mementos does Birdie find stashed in her mother's room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Birdie find acceptance in the novel? What role does education, family, and friendships play in her quest for acceptance? What role does race and color play in her acceptance? Where does Birdie find acceptance, and why? What might this acceptance foreshadow for her future?

Essay Topic 2

How does Birdie's perceived race affect her status in society? What strengths will she need to develop as an adult in order to thrive in American society? How might living in Berkeley affect her outlook on people of mixed race?

Essay Topic 3

How is racism exemplified in the novel? Describe examples of racism among all ethnic groups represented in the novel. How does racism affect the development of the characters in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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