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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. How many times in the summer did Elaine return to see Nathan according to Chapter 31?

2. Who is Elaine's parole officer in Chapter 41?

3. Elaine finds out that Sabrina ingested a poison commonly found in antifreeze and cleaning supplies. What is it called?

4. Elaine finds two scars on Nathan. One is on his finger from writing her long letters. Where is the other and how was it caused?

5. What friend from prison does Elaine hope to see at a rally in Chapter 33?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Donna Charles' situation upon leaving prison?

3. What is Officer Russell's background?

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

5. Why is Elaine not allowed to see Sabrina's body?

6. How is Jamel spending most of his days in Chapter 39?

7. When Elaine is in a car wreck on New Year's Eve, what injuries does she suffer from?

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

9. Why does Elaine call 911 in Chapter 32?

10. Why is Jamel so angry with Cassandra?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the "War on Drugs" as evidenced by laws like the Rockefeller drug laws. Why are drugs a problem in American society? Do strong drug laws deter offenders? Does the punishment fit the crime? Support your answers with statistics from today's drugs and drug laws. Make a recommendation on what you think the best solution to the problem is. Be sure to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Of Yvonne Bartlett's seven children, five served time in jail or prison. The two who didn't died as young adults. Was Yvonne a good mother? Was she good at her role? Did her own arrest have any effect on the outcomes of her children? Who or what is to blame for the outcome of the majority of the Bartlett children? Parenting? Society?

Essay Topic 3

In "Life on the Outside," it appears that the only thing that Elaine and Lora have in common is that they're both African-American women. They grow up with different socio-economic status. One has formal education as a young adult; the other doesn't. One is a mother; the other isn't. One suffers from HIV; the other doesn't. One serves time in prison; the other doesn't. They even have different opinions about men. Yet somehow these two women become friends. Why do you think this happens? What draws these two women to each other?

(see the answer keys)

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