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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 the second place prize winner of the race receive?

2. What does the first place prize winner of the race receive?

3. Who gives Vera a hug on August 20th?

4. Who slaps Vera on October 17th?

5. Carolina calls October 30th, 1958, the day of _______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. List four of the most common things Carolina picks up off the streets when she is working.

2. Why does Carolina have so few friends?

3. How does Carolina feel when her son is accused of attempting to rape a young girl?

4. What happens after the election?

5. How do Carolina's children react when there is little food to eat?

6. What are the movies like that typically get shown in the favela?

7. How does Carolina feel about her heritage?

8. What does Carolina think about race?

9. How does Vera feel when she gets new shoes on June 21st?

10. How does Carolina feel when she has enough to eat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Love is written of often in Child of the Dark. Carolina loves her children, and she never hides that fact. However, she never records anything about loving a man. Write an essay that explains how love is a consistent theme throughout the diary. Explain why love is important to Carolina and those around her. In times of struggle how does love help Carolina? How does love help others? Be sure to provide examples to support your work.

Essay Topic 3

Child of the Dark is written as a series of diary entries. Carolina records each date along with the events that happen on that day. Sometimes she includes poetry or song lyrics. Write an essay that goes into depth and analyzes the writing style of Carolina Maria de Jesus. Think about the perspective she uses. What is the sentence structure of her entries like? What type of vocabulary does she use in her writing? Which adjectives and descriptors does she tend to use? Be sure to provide examples to support your work.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample