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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. What is the name of the character from the Verdi opera that Ryan plays in his audition for the Met's young singers' competition?

2. What caused the scars on the backs of Ryan's legs?

3. What store does Camille LaBarre take Ryan to to get clothes for the Met competition's final audition?

4. What did someone on the staff at the juvenile detention center give Ryan that he loved and he would lose if he lost control of his behavior?

5. What causes Ryan to have an allergic reaction as a child?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was one of the most damaging and memorable punishments Ryan remembers from the DeJarnette Center?

2. When Ryan works with the conductor Patrick Summers in Chapter 5, how does their practice session go?

3. How do Ryan and Adrian remember their mother Valerie's relationship with Barry?

4. What important task does Camille LaBarre help Ryan with before the second round of the Met's competition in Chapter 3?

5. In Chapter 6, what are some of the negative impacts of Valerie's religious beliefs on Ryan and Adrian as they grow up?

6. What is the major difference between Ryan and his fellow singer and competitor, Philippe?

7. What does Gayletha Nichols' experience with the operatic arts entail?

8. Why does Valerie get so angry at Cecil when she flies home to her apartment after being stationed in Korea?

9. What is the main reason Ryan has asked people to call him "Speedo" at different points in his life?

10. Who is the juvenile detention center that Ryan is placed in in Chapter 7 named after?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brian Zeger, who runs the Met's vocal training program, talks about the technical advantages, aspects, and challenges of Ryan's voice in Chapter 14. Write an essay analyzing why Zeger thinks Ryan's voice is so unique and outstanding; do not ignore some of the drawbacks Zeger thinks Ryan needs to work on.

Essay Topic 2

Ryan's mother, Valerie, was offered the opportunity for a promising career in the military, but this did not come to fruition. Write an essay analyzing how Valerie's life took some turns toward the worst and how her life's path affected Ryan.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing how Ryan's behavior in the DeJarnette Center is related to the problems he was experiencing with his mother Valerie at the time, citing specific references to the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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