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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. Where does Cy work?

2. Why is Riley offering Cy an apprenticeship?

3. Why does Cy's mother board these "guests"?

4. When does Cy advance to freehand images?

5. What does Cy see in the discharge basin one day?

Short Essay Questions

1. What indication is there that "times are changing" even in a small town such as Morecambe? Why do you think this is so?

2. What does Cy recall as he studies cloud formations and what might this foreshadow?

3. There are many instances of foreshadowing in this opening section. Name one and venture a guess as to what it could foreshadow.

4. How does Cy's apprenticeship fare and what is an important lesson Cy learns?

5. How does Cy slip into starting to tattoo instead of just watching Riley and what is Riley's response?

6. With what does the young Cy struggle?

7. How does Riley explain the colors used in tattooing?

8. Describe the type of clients that are often drawn to Riley's tattoo parlor.

9. How does Reeda die and how does this affect Cy?

10. What do you think is a boggart and how is it used?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Cy is working for Riley after his mother has died, Cy continues to judge life by Reeda's standards for many years after she dies. Eventually, he begins to judge life by Riley's standards. After he has moved to Brooklyn and lives in a world of which Riley nor Reeda know anything, their ideas still greatly influence his interpretations of the life around him. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Discuss how Riley's influence is still a large part of Cy's life in America.

2. Discuss how his mother's ideas inform Cy's adult life--be sure to include specific examples.

3. At what point in Cy's life does Cy begin formulating his own ideas about life? Give examples. Do Reeda's and Riley's influence ever completely fade out of Cy's mind?

Essay Topic 2

In Part 2, "Babylon in Brooklyn," much narration is devoted to describing Coney Island. Choose one of the following and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Compare and contrast Coney Island with Cy's boyhood home, Morecambe.

2. Find all the references to Coney Island and explain the relation of this setting to two of the major themes of the book.

3. How are Coney Island and the mystique of tattoos compatible? Not compatible?

Essay Topic 3

In part 1, it is revealed that Reeda Parks nurses dying TB patients and also assists her friend in performing abortions. This dual occupation could be considered ironic for several reasons. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Define the concept of irony.

2. Why could Reeda's two occupations be considered ironic? Use examples and detail in your explanation.

3. There are a number of ironic instances in the story. Go through the text and find several instances of ironic thoughts, statements, or events and explain the situation and why you believe it to be ironic.

(see the answer keys)

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