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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 object does Cece's mother bring home as a way to comfort Cece in the aftermath of the cheating incident?

2. For what reason can Cece not understand Martha when Martha is asking Cece what she would like from Long John Silver's?

3. What is Cece's response when the girl across the street invites her to help make "dirt soup" (121)?

4. Cece decides that instead of telling anyone about her crush, she will perform what action?

5. When Cece's mother goes to get a washcloth for Cece's eye, what does Martha say to Cece?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the symbolism of the Hostess cherry pie?

2. How does Cece come to be tasked with the mission of telling the class when Mrs. Sinklemann is returning to the classroom?

3. What is the author's purpose for including allusions to Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons during Cece's first time visiting Martha's house?

4. For what reason does Cece begin to laugh helplessly while onstage in front of the whole school?

5. How is the theme of trust exemplified within the Wonderful World of Books presentation scene?

6. What change leads to all but one of Cece's grades improving considerably?

7. At what realization does Cece arrive on the morning of the first day of fifth grade that causes her a lot of anxiety?

8. How does Bell employ suspense within the scenes when Cece is preparing to take her new curly pencil with her to school the next day?

9. What visual element does Cece Bell often use to indicate the overwhelming nature of being able to hear words while not being able to understand them?

10. Describe Cece's conflicted feelings about being alone.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's choice to tell the story of Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo using the first person point-of-view. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what is the author's intended effect on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the book.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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