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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 does Cece think to herself about her mother's suggestion that she take a sign language class?

2. To what movie does Laura allude when persuading Cece that the two girls should dress alike every day at school?

3. After "three months of freedom" and "three months of bliss" (102), what grade does Cece enter?

4. What symptom does Cece display that causes her parents to rush her to the hospital?

5. One day, Laura takes Cece along with her to a meeting of what organization after school?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Cece use soap operas and cartoons to depict for the reader her experiences watching television?

6. Cece Bell begins the narrative by stating, "I was a regular little kid" (1). What examples does she provide for her conclusion?

7. What happens to cause Cece to stop having fun at Ginny's sleepover party?

8. Discuss how the theme of appearance versus reality is depicted in the scene when the kids in Cece's new neighborhood turn the radio louder for her.

9. Discuss how Bell communicate Cece's hearing impairment to the reader before Cece knows it herself within the narrative?

10. During the audiology appointment that Cece attends, what is the first sign to the doctor that there may be a problem with her hearing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of family bonds within Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo. What is the author's message regarding family bonds and how do you know?

Essay Topic 2

How is the topic of compassion treated within Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo and how does its treatment relate to the book's depicted messages?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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