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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. Who is Samantha?

2. What does Birdie do that sparks a racial confrontation in Chapter 13?

3. In Chapter 9, why do the girls in town tease Birdie?

4. In Chapter 12, where does Nicholas spend his summer?

5. In Chapter 12, why is Birdie taunted by the boys in town?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why won't Sandy allow Birdie to try and contact Deck and Cole in Brazil?

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

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

4. Describe Samantha.

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

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

7. Why does Jim scold Birdie for lying?

8. Why do the girls in New Hampshire make fun of Birdie in Chapter 9?

9. Who is Exu and why does Birdie pray to him?

10. Why does Birdie feel betrayed by Sandy in Chapter 13?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the physical, social, and emotional effects of Birdie's time spent in hiding? How does Sandy's insistence that Birdie pass as a white Jewish girl affect Birdie's character development? How does Birdie's forced secret identity affect her relationship with her mother?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Birdie and Samantha's characters. What compromises have both characters made and how do those compromises affect their development? What could have motivated Birdie to ignore rather than befriend Samantha? What could have motivated Samantha to remain silent about her knowledge of Birdie's racial heritage? What does Birdie desperately want Samantha to do, and why?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of WASPs in the novel? How does Sandy identify a WASP? What ironies are evident in her description? How does Sandy's perceptions of WASPs affect both her and Birdie's characters?

(see the answer keys)

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