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. Who hugs Elaine and calls her "Ma" at Danae's basketball games in Chapter 27?

2. Yvonne moves into Wald Houses in 1980. Which apartment does she get?

3. Who begins teaching classes as Bedford Hills prison in Chapter 15?

4. Elaine first arrives at Bedford Hills prison with how many other women from Albany County jail?

5. In Chapter 14, what made someone an instant celebrity in Bedford Hills prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think some women have a hard time leaving Bedford Hills Prison?

2. Describe Elaine's mother.

3. In Chapter 19, what does Elaine do with the $40 send-off money that the prison gave her?

4. What is Alfonso Camacho's background? Do you think Alfonso Camacho is a good parole officer? Why or why not?

5. Why does the chart at the police department have Elaine two inches taller than she really is?

6. What is Elaine's attitude toward men in Chapter 28 and is it working for her?

7. What is Danae like?

8. Why did Elaine move into Apache's bedroom in Chapter 29?

9. What is the result of Judge Clyne's eleven years on the bench?

10. Describe Lora Tucker.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the "Author's Notes," author Jennifer Gonnerman states that she relies largely upon her own observations in the telling of Elaine Bartlett's story. Do her observations color the story or is she able to maintain objectivity in the telling of the story?

Essay Topic 2

"Life on the Outside" is an example of narrative nonfiction in that it's a true story that reads like fiction. While the story is about Elaine Bartlett, it is not her voice recounting the story. In reality, author Jennifer Gonnerman is part of the story. What is her role and goal in the telling of this book? Do you ever feel her advising or judging Elaine? Is she ever a part of the story? Do you find any evidence of her "voice?"

Essay Topic 3

What would you do if you spent sixteen years in prison for your first offense? You're serving time along with violent offenders, although there is nothing violent about your crime. How would you feel? Do you think it would be any different than how Elaine felt when she was first locked up? How would you spend your days?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 932 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample