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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ava do for Aretha?

2. How is the issue finally resolved?

3. What did the letter Joyce received from the state say?

4. What does the hospital say after they treat Imani?

5. What time does Ava wake up the morning after she had sex with Eddie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gerry Anderson has told Mattie that taking back the child will also guarantee the young girl the monthly income provided by the foster care system.

1. Do you think mothers who cannot support their children should be supported by the government? Why or why not?

2. If you were a judge who had to decide where Imani should live what would you decide? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Since their mother's death, Joyce and Ava refer to suicide as a "tumble" because that's how a pamphlet on grief had described it, making the point that anytime there is danger of a person going over an emotional edge, any source of comfort is justified.

1. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. The word "tumble" here implies something that happens quickly. Do you think a person falls into despair or depression quickly? Why or why not?

3. Ava and Joyce using the word tumble to describe their mother's emotions that led to suicide seems flippant. Do you agree? Why or why not? Why do you think they refer to the incident like this?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of rising above adversity continues to thread throughout the book, and the author reveals some of the mechanisms that people use to accomplish that feat.

1. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think are some of the mechanisms people use to cope with adversity? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 411 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample