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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. Whose idea is it to conduct a makeover on Cece at Ginny's birthday sleepover party?

2. After Cece arrives home from the sleepover at Laura's house, who calls Cece's house right away?

3. How long does the activity take that causes Cece to stop having fun at Ginny's birthday sleepover party?

4. What is NOT a quality of the Phonic Ear pointed out by Cece after her first few times using it?

5. When Cece first imagines her superhero alter ego, what other superhero is also depicted within her imagination?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Cece feel about learning sign language when the idea is first presented to her by her mother?

2. With what illness is Cece diagnosed and what does the doctor say about it?

3. How does the theme of cruelty emerge within Cece's interactions with Laura throughout their first and second grade years?

4. What are the reader's earliest clues that Cece's friendship with Laura may not be a good match?

5. How is the theme of condescension depicted within the scene at Ginny's sleepover party?

6. Discuss how and when Bell makes it clear that the novel has serious themes, despite its status as a graphic novel.

7. Discuss the irony present in the scene when Cece declares, "Just call me El Deafo!" (68).

8. How is the theme of family bonds depicted within Cece's return home from the hospital?

9. What is the significance of Cece's state of mind before her first time hanging out with Emma since her stay at the hospital?

10. What signs lead Cece to eventually realize that she has a hearing impairment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the author's focus on the theme of transformation in the novel Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo. What message is the author sending about change and about one other theme of your choice?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo and the theme of trust focused upon throughout the narrative. How does the author make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help the author get across one main message of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

What is the author's message regarding courage in Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo and what themes does the author employ in order to send these messages to the reader?

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