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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. Who are Rudolph and Ellis?

2. What on Ellen's arm draws attention from her teachers?

3. From what room does Ellen observe her family from?

4. What does Ellen do when her mother goes to bed?

5. What present does Ellen give to Starletta's family?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ellen's grandmother cause a scene at the funeral?

2. How can a reader tell that Ellen may harbor some prejudices toward African American people?

3. How is Ellen wearing her mother's clothes symbolic to the story?

4. What event leads to Ellen's removal from her father's care?

5. At the funeral, why does Ellen avoid looking at her mother's grave?

6. How does Ellen's selection of gifts show that Ellen has to take responsibility for herself?

7. Up to Chapter 7, what are some of the ways Ellen covers up for her father?

8. Why does Ellen choose Starletta's parents when asked by the school board if Ellen has someone to take care of her?

9. In Chapter 6, how does Ellen's prejudiced nature show up?

10. The author never indicates the time period of when the events in Ellen's life are taking place. How can one tell from the context about clues that Ellen's story happens in fairly modern times?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using the discussions from class and details from the text list some of the ways Ellen had to fend for herself.

Essay Topic 2

Using the details from the text and class discussions, discuss the ways that Ellen trusted and distrusted the people in her weak support system.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the elements of Ellen's personality. How does Ellen exhibit a dualism in her personality?

(see the answer keys)

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