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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 receives 39 days in jail and five years probation for crimes in Chapter 44?

2. What gift did Lora give Elaine for her 43rd birthday?

3. How many pairs of sneakers did Elaine buy for family for Easter in Chapter 37?

4. When Chapter 37 opens, Elaine calls into work twice for what reason?

5. What is the name of Jamel's son?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Jamel upset with his new parole officer in Chapter 36?

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

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

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

6. What does Jamel provide to Elaine in Chapter 38 that no one else thinks to do?

7. Explain "cuff therapy."

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

9. What changes does Jamel see on Avenue D in Chapter 34?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Elaine is strongly focused on being a mother, both in and out of prison. It is part of her identity. When she is released, there are times she is faced with guilt over not being there as a mother to her children. If Elaine had not gone to prison, how do you think things would have been different for her children? Which child is most affected by Elaine's long imprisonment?

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