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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 say in response to her mother's suggestion that she take a sign language class?

2. To whom does Cece stay close no matter what after she returns home from the hospital?

3. What method does the doctor use to diagnose the source of Cece's illness?

4. Cece's mother suggests that Cece take a sign language class at what location?

5. When Cece first meets Laura, what does Laura say about Cece's name?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. When Cece says that she makes "many discoveries about lip-reading" (31), what are three of the seven discoveries she lists?

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

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

6. 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.

7. Though Cece only briefly attends a school for children with hearing impairments, she learns a lot. How does the author use illustrations to augment the reader's understanding of the lessons Cece learns?

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

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

10. What is the author's purpose for including images related to fishing on page 60?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

What is the function of Ginny’s character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by the author in depicting Ginny and include in your discussion the reasons that the author portrays this character in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 3

Read the three-page section at the end of the novel entitled A Note From the Author. Analyze and discuss a particular theme in El Deafo that became clearer to you once you read this section and discuss why all readers of El Deafo should read this appendix inclusion.

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