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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 regularly claims victims among children and tourists?

2. For what do the boys use Muriel's equipment?

3. About what is Riley a stickler?

4. Why do the town council's junctions bother Reeda?

5. How does Cy respond to what he sees in the basin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Riley tell Cy about Michelangelo?

2. Describe Cy's first interest in a girl and why it is disappointing.

3. How does Riley come to offer Cy an apprenticeship and what is Cy's response?

4. What major theme is touched upon in this chapter and how is it expressed here?

5. Describe Cy's first encounter with Riley.

6. With what does the young Cy struggle?

7. How does sex figure into Riley's tattoo business?

8. How does Cy's afternoon employment foreshadow his future work?

9. What does Jonty say about Riley; is it likely to be true?

10. How does Cy's mother Reeda respond to his possible apprenticeship with Riley?

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 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.

Essay Topic 3

The characters in Electric Michelangelo are the central focus of the novel; in other words, the characters drive the plot rather than the other way around as is the case in some novels. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. Write an in-depth character analysis of Cy Parks. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate him. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

2. Write an in-depth character analysis of Grace. Include a physical description, personality traits, and what beliefs motivate her. What do you like and dislike about this character? Why? Give specific examples.

3. Choose three other characters besides Grace or Cy and write about them in relationship to both Grace and Cy. Are they friendly or hostile to either main character? Explain with examples. What is their purpose(s) in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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