View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what does Shannon attribute her passing grade in modeling school?

2. What is Signore Alfa Romeo's main asset?

3. Why is the group going to Seattle?

4. What kind of car does Evie have?

5. Whom does Brandy claim to be when trying to cross the border?

Short Essay Questions

1. What philosophy does Brandy Alexander have that Shannon finds attractive?

2. What article of clothing does Brandy suggest Shannon wear?

3. What story does Brandy tell the border policemen to try to get them back into the USA?

4. What happens on the day that Shannon's bandages are removed when she visits the grocery store?

5. Why does Brandy introduce Shannon to veils?

6. Why have Brandy and her comrades come to the open house?

7. Why does the narrator feel that she has no native tongue?

8. What device does the author employ again and again to convey Shannon's emotions?

9. What does the narrator warn the reader about the novel's structure?

10. What secret does Shannon write on her postcard at the Space Needle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the central themes of the novel is that some people cannot accept themselves. Is this a bad thing in the novel? Are the people who accept themselves missing something in life, as Brandy theorizes? Has Brandy created a problem where one never existed? Be sure to use textual examples and present a well-organized argument.

Essay Topic 2

Brandy credits the Rhea sisters with making her who she is. Who exactly are the Rhea sisters? How do the Rhea sisters help Brandy once she finds them? Why did Brandy allow the Rhea sisters to make her over? Who is responsible for calling Brandy's family with the news that she is dead? What kind of attitude do the Rheas instill in Brandy and how does this enable her adventures?

Essay Topic 3

Explore Shannon's observations of the television monitor on her infomercial. Upon review of the infomercial, what does she notice? Are people looking at the models? Why or why not? How does the television monitor affect people and why does Shannon find this effect disturbing? How does the television monitor fit in to the other themes in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 699 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample