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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 bar near where Antonia's family has stopped?

2. When Antonia gets home after trying Jazz's lipstick, she says that the hue of her lips matches everyone else's lips at her house. Why?

3. Antonia sees a photo in her mother's bedroom. What is her mother dressed as?

4. Why does Jazz's mother give her a cell phone?

5. What school does Jazz hope to attend?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Antonia not want Mrs. Luther to drive her home?

2. Why does Antonia feel overwhelmed when she returns home after her first day of peer counseling?

3. How does Jazz feel about her sister, Janey?

4. What is the significance of the smell of bacon and eggs to Antonia?

5. What is Antonia's reaction to Jazz showing her the tattoo on her ankle?

6. What happens when Antonia puts on Jazz's black lipstick?

7. What is the significance of the blank sheet of paper that Antonia hands to Jazz?

8. Why is Mrs. Luther so impressed with Antonia?

9. Who is Shelly and what is her significance to the book?

10. Why was Antonia embarrassed to hand her math homework in to Mrs. Bartoli?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define Normal was a finalist for the National Book Award. Describe this award, and then give specific examples of ways that this book fits into the criteria of a National Book Award nominee. At the end of your definition and description, include a statement as to whether or not you think the book is worthy of this award.

Essay Topic 2

One of the major themes is the book is the mother-daughter relationship. Compare Antonia's relationship with her mother to Jazz's relationship with her mother. How are the relationships similar and how are they different?

Essay Topic 3

The story is told from Antonia's point of view. Discuss the reasons the author chooses to use Antonia as the main narrator instead of a different character. In your explanation, be sure to include the definition of point-of-view, and what type of point-of-view the author is using.

(see the answer keys)

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