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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 has spent six months on Riker's Island when Chapter 44 starts?

2. Who gets a fake ID to visit Jamel when he is at Riker's Island?

3. What went missing from Elaine's pocket in Chapter 37?

4. How many of Cassandra's tattoos are mentioned in Chapter 35?

5. In Chapter 39, who is Jamel's current girlfriend?

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of programs does Jamel participate in as required by his parole officer?

2. When Elaine realizes that a family member stole money from her, she does nothing. Why is that?

3. Why is Apartment 13B more crowded than usual on April 3, 2001?

4. How is Elaine dressed for her first Thanksgiving at home after being in prison?

5. After years of not seeing each other, Elaine doesn't greet Nate in the same way as his fantasy. Why?

6. What is Jamel's ambition in Part 4, and how has he prepared for it?

7. Who is Yvonne Stennet and what is her connection to Elaine's family?

8. When Jamel ends up in the hospital with a hurt leg and neck, how does he explain it to his mother?

9. What does Elaine do to prepare for her Thanksgiving celebration?

10. Why is Elaine frantic about finding a new apartment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Learn the history of housing projects. What is their purpose? Are they successful in what they intend to do? While housing projects are for people suffering from poverty, do they perpetuate that poverty? Is there a chance for more criminal behavior around a housing project? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Often in a book, main characters undergo change as a result of what happens to them in the story. What kinds of changes does Elaine undergo during "Life on the Outside?" Are they changes for the better or worse?

Essay Topic 3

Most books have a theme or a central message. What would you say the overlying message or theme for "Life on the Outside" is? Give examples to support your answer. Is it easy or difficult to know what the message is?

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