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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. At what time do Delphine and her sisters return to their mother's home in "Crazy Mother Mountain"?

2. How long ago did Delpine's mother abandon her family?

3. What is the name of the doll that Fern carries with her everywhere she goes?

4. What is on Crazy Kelvin's t-shirt?

5. What beverage does Cecile tell Delphine to get at the restaurant in "Mean Lady Ming"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Delphine's initial perceptions of the Black Panthers in the novel?

2. What is one example of the theme of racism seen in the first chapters of the novel?

3. What is revealed to be in the package sent by Cecile to the People's Center in "Breakfast Program"?

4. How is the classroom at the People's Center described in "Even the Earth is a Revolutionary"?

5. Why does Big Ma worry about the girls' trip?

6. How is the setting described at the People's Center in "Breakfast Program"?

7. How does Cecile behave toward her daughters upon their arrival in "Green Stucco House"?

8. What has Vonetta done to Fern's doll in "Coloring and La-La"? What are the repercussions of this action?

9. What does Cecile give to Delphine to take to the People's Center in "Inseparable"?

10. How are feminist ideals demonstrated through Cecile's character in the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the plot structure of One Crazy Summer. Where in the narrative do the exposition, rising action, and climax occur? What is revealed in the falling action and denouement of the story? Do you feel the plot is structured traditionally? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Big Ma in the narrative. How does Big Ma feel about Cecile? Why? What causes Big Ma to worry about her granddaughters' visit to Oakland?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the motif of poetry in One Crazy Summer. How is poetry employed as a means of propaganda for the Black Panther Party? What contributions does Cecile make with her poetry? What is the power that poetry holds?

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