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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. In "Racists," Doyle describes, in metaphor, growing up in a mine and the air being what?

2. What must come before revolution, according to Doyle in "Racists"?

3. How much money did Doyle's organization for border children raise to reunify families in its first nine hours?

4. What does Doyle consider to be the catalyst of compassion in "Bases"?

5. What was on Abby's necklace that became ensnarled in "Knots"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Doyle react negatively when a character came out to her parents on a TV show in "Concessions"?

2. How does Doyle present her perspective on sexuaity and choice in "Permission Slips"?

3. How has Doyle raised her son, according to the narrative in "Boys"?

4. What inspired Doyle to begin self-educating herself about race and racism?

5. What did the elderly woman ask Doyle at a speaking engagement in "Questions"? How did Doyle respond?

6. How has Doyle raised her daughters, according to the narrative in "Boys"?

7. How did the Evangelical Christian church change during and after the Civil Rights Movement?

8. What does Doyle liken the experience of unlearning racism to in "Racism"?

9. Why is boredom important to kids, according to Doyle in "Poems"?

10. Why did Abby turn against God, according to the narrative in "Knots"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Doyle's friendship with Liz. Who is Liz revealed to be? What has Doyle written? Why does Doyle turn to Liz for advice?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Doyle's struggles with bulimia as a child and young adult. When did she begin struggling with bulimia? What treatment did she seek for it? How did the treatment affect her?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss three examples of symbolism in the memoir. What does each symbol represent? How does this particular symbol strike you as a reader? How does this symbol relate to the book's themes?

(see the answer keys)

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