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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. How much prize money is given to the winner of the piano competition that Jazz is practicing for?

2. What group does Antonia ask Jazz to join with her?

3. What award was Define Normal a finalist for?

4. Why does Antonia think that Jazz does not want to play the polonaise again?

5. Antonia's mom gets a part-time job at what kind of establishment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jazz skip the competition and quit the piano?

2. Why does Jazz feel guilty about her friends hearing her play?

3. How does Antonia defend her Dad's abandonment of the family?

4. Usually, Antonia hates heavy metal music, but after her mother was hospitalized, she listened to it at Jazz's house. How did she feel about it?

5. What does Mrs. Luther threaten to do if Jazz quits the piano, and how does this threat affect Jazz?

6. Several times throughout the book, the term "ya-ya" is used with reference to Antonia. What is the significance of this term?

7. Explain why Antonia tells Jazz that her foster family are ugly, evil little gones who keep them locked up?

8. Explain why Jazz never wants to play the polonaise again.

9. What do Antonia and Jazz decide to do to give Mrs. Bartoli a lesson on stereotyping?

10. Why does Jazz give-in and go to her piano recital dressed in the blue velvet dress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Antonia takes care of herself and her little brothers. Discuss why she is so reluctant to ask for help. How does her reluctance to share her problems create isolation? Give two examples of her isolation.

Essay Topic 2

The title is an important element of any book. Write an essay that explains the significance of the title, Define Normal. Give three examples from the book that show why this title is a good choice for the message of the book.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of a few weeks, Antonia and Jazz develop a close relationship. Analyze the reasons that this relationship progresses from just peer counseling to friendship. Include in your answer the point at which you think the relationship makes the turn from peer-counseling to friendship.

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This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample