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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 is the name of the country Carolina and her family live in?

2. According to Carolina, what happens to the nice families that move into the favela?

3. Which canned item do men throw from trucks on May 16th?

4. How old is Joao in 1955?

5. What is the name of the teenager who beats his father?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Carolina afraid to eat from the garbage?

3. Why do women in the favela "collect men?"

4. Describe "pinga."

5. What does Carolina think of alcohol?

6. How does Vera flatter women to get money?

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

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

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

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

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

The tone of the writing changes at different parts of Child of the Dark. Usually these changes reflect what is going on in Carolina's life at the time of the entry. Write an essay that explains when the tone of Carolina's entries changes. What events happen that cause Carolina to feel one way or another? In what way do the changing tones in the entries make her writing more interesting or dynamic? Be sure to provide examples to support your work.

Essay Topic 3

The tall buildings of Sao Paulo are a symbol to the people in the favela. Carolina mentions them several different times in her diary entries. Write an essay that goes into detail and explains why the buildings are a symbol to the people. What do they represent? Why do the people of the favela aspire to go there and be part of common society? Use examples from the book to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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