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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. At what age are the children able to stay out as late as they want?

2. Why is Carolina not married?

3. Why do women in the favelas run naked into the street during an argument?

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

5. Which police station number does Carlona go to in 1958?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Carolina not accept Senhor Manuel's proposal?

2. According to the first entry, describe Vera.

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

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

5. Why did Carolina chase a rainbow as a young girl?

6. Why does Carolina ignore the second summons to take Jose Carlos to court?

7. What happens to Carolina when she shows her plays to the directors of the circuses?

8. What does Carolina think of crime?

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

10. What does Carolina think of alcohol?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The pacing of Child of the Dark is very different than most books and autobiographies. Since the story is told through diary entries, certain events are embellished or forgotten by the author. Write an essay that explains why the pacing of Child of the Dark is significant. Which major events play a role in the rising action? What is the climax of the story? What is the falling action of the story? How is the pacing of the book unique when paired with similarly written autobiographies? Be sure to provide examples to support your opinions.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Carolina writes of the Children's Shelter as being a horrific place. At one point in time, she had wanted to intern her children there until she learned the truth about it. Write an essay that explains why the Children's Shelter is not a good place. Think about the children in the yellow uniforms that she met. What happens to many of the children staying at the shelter? What sorts of inappropriate things do children learn while they grow up there? Use examples from the book to support your argument.

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