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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 type of building does Carolina and her family live in?

2. What is the name of the circus put up on Araguaia Street?

3. What is Carolina's profession?

4. What is the name of the place where Carolina lives?

5. Who sings to Carolina on the morning of May 20th?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carolina think of people who live along the riverbank?

2. According to the first entry, describe Carolina.

3. Why does Carolina say that the women are worse than the men in the favelas?

4. What are some of the things political candidates promise the favelados?

5. Why does Carolina like to sing?

6. According to the first entry, describe Vera.

7. Why do Carolina's children often have coffee for breakfast?

8. List four of the foods Carolina most commonly buys with the money she earns.

9. Why are Carolina's sacks of paper burned at the end of her 1955 entry?

10. What does Carolina think of crime?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alcoholism is a real problem in the favela. Carolina is one of the few adults who refuses to drink. She looks down upon those who intake pinga as a way to drown their emotions and problems. Write an essay that explores the element of alcoholism as it is presented in Child of the Dark. Give an explanation for why so many people drink. What types of sacrifices do these people make so that they can buy alcohol? How does it impact their lives? Be sure to provide examples to support your work.

Essay Topic 2

The relationships of men and women are tenuous at best in certain parts of the book. Carolina often writes of domestic violence and other similar conflicts. Write an essay that analyzes whether or not Carolina's portrayal of the male/female dynamic is accurate. Think about some of the incidents Carolina writes about. How do they pertain to the subject of male and female relationships? Is she fair when she writes of such conflicts, or is she biased? Use examples from the book to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

When Carolina finds out the truth about Raimundo and his motives, she becomes angry. He never admits to her the things he does wrong. He plays everything off as if life is a simple game. Write an essay that explores the depths of Raimundo's character. What type of man is he? How does he get the things he wants in life? How does his outlook on life contrast starkly with the realities of the favela? Be sure to provide examples to support your opinions.

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