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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 do Antonia and Jazz plan to do to teach Mrs. Bartoli a lesson?

2. Why does Jazz say she is grounded?

3. Jazz jokes back with Antonia about her foster parents and asks if they make her eat a certain food. What is that food?

4. Why does Antonia think that she does not need to talk to Dr. DiLeo?

5. Tillie says their empty house feels like what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why has Karen chosen to go into social work, and what is it about her that gives Antonia hope?

2. Who is Ram and why is he important to the story?

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

4. Why does Jazz's mother call the police on Jazz and her friends?

5. Why does Jazz think Antonia might not want to be seen with her?

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

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

8. Describe the Abeytas and their importance to the story.

9. How does Antonia describe her sense of isolation and loneliness after seeing her mother in the hospital?

10. What impact does Antonia's first visit to see her mother in the hospital have on her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the author's choice of not identifying a specific place for the setting of this novel. Explain what setting you think it has, giving credible examples. (For instance, does it take place in a village? In a warm climate? A cold climate? Is it a big city, a small city, or a rural town?) Argue that the author was right in not providing a specific setting, or argue that the novel would have been better if it had been set in a particular city or town.

Essay Topic 2

Gregoire is an important character in Jazz's life. Discuss at least three reasons why Gregoire is so appealing to Jazz. Include in your answer what the impact of Gregoire's actions are on Jazz's music career.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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