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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 is the legendary conductor at the Met who is involved in selecting singers for the Met's special training program?

2. Which teacher at Governor's School takes Ryan under his wing and helps turn him into a very good singer?

3. Which family members of Ryan's were in the audience to hear him sing in his first opera a the Met on opening night?

4. Which opera does Ryan see on his first visit to the Met as a high school student?

5. In what year did Marian Anderson sing at the Met for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ryan's brother Adrian leave home?

2. In Chapter 13, what does Ken Noda tell Ryan about how he will be judged as a singer because of his race?

3. What does winning the Met's competition for young singers mean for a young singer's career?

4. What does Brian Zeger, who runs the Met's training program, say is the real strength of Ryan's voice?

5. Why did the child piano prodigy Ken Noda abruptly stop performing piano concerts?

6. Why did the famous opera singer Marian Anderson perform a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939?

7. Why is Ryan's family very surprised when they hear he is seriously interested in opera?

8. What is the personal connection that helps Ryan get into the Virginia Governor's School for the Arts?

9. What do Ryan's music teachers at the Governor's School think of his voice when they first hear him sing?

10. What does Noda say is the greatest part of Ryan's appeal as a singer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing how Ryan's relationship with his brother Adrian changed from childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood. Make sure to cite specific examples from the text in your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The juvenile detention facility of last resort that Ryan is sent to as a 12 year-old in Virginia was named, at the time, the DeJarnette Center. Write an essay explaining who the center's namesake, Dr. Joseph DeJarnette, was, and why Bergner spends a significant amount of time explaining DeJarnette's background and legacy.

(see the answer keys)

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