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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 does Carolina bring to the Negress's house?

2. What do the children say when they open the cans of food passed out by the men in the truck?

3. How old is Dona Francisa?

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

5. Who does Carolina most commonly sell scrap to?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Carolina like to sing?

3. What does Carolina think of crime?

4. Describe "pinga."

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

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

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

8. What are the politicians of Brazil like around the year 1955?

9. Why is alcoholism a problem in the favelas?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The photographs of Carolina that are included in Child of the Dark were taken after her book was published. Each picture portrays the elements of daily favela life. Write an essay that explains what is going on in each picture. Make sure to include who is in the photograph and what they are doing. Think about what makes these photographs engaging and special. What about their composition and execution is the most interesting? Use examples from the book to support your argument.

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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