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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. How does Maya get to her new school in San Francisco?

2. Who, according to blacks, is successful in spite of the oppression of white people?

3. Why does Maya have trouble concentrating at the first school she attends in San Francisco?

4. How does Maya feel about being pregnant?

5. Who teaches Maya the rules of the junkyard?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Maya's reaction to Edward Donleavy's speech about blacks.

2. What happens to Maya's neighborhood in San Francisco during the war?

3. What happens between Dolores and Maya when Maya's father leaves her with Dolores?

4. What does her mother say and do about Maya's pregnancy?

5. What happens with Dolores when Maya and her father return from Mexico?

6. How does Maya imagine her grandmother will handle the dentist?

7. Describe the Lafayette Training School and its students.

8. Describe the reason for George Taylor's visit and the visit itself.

9. How has Bailey changed in Maya's absence and what is Vivian's reaction to him?

10. Where does Maya stay after leaving her father's friend's?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Religion is central in Momma's life. The church is the center of the black community and holds the people together. Explain why you think the church would be important in black people's lives at the time in which Maya was a young girl. Use examples from the book to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 2

If Maya Angelou were your grandmother what would you say to other students who asked you about her?

Essay Topic 3

Maya was smart and usually worked hard in school. How do you think being intelligent helped her deal with all the problems in her life?

(see the answer keys)

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