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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 Maya's rank in her graduating class?

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

3. What does Willie tell Bailey is the reason white people hate blacks so much?

4. What does Vivian think when Maya returns home?

5. What does Mr. Taylor say about his dead wife and children?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Maya's perceptions and experience in her first year at George Washington High School.

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

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

4. How does Maya decide to see if she is a lesbian and what happens?

5. Describe the Lafayette Training School and its students.

6. Describe Maya's trip to Mexico with her father.

7. What does Mr. Clidell teach Maya?

8. Why does Maya think she might be a lesbian and what does she think a lesbian is?

9. Describe the living arrangements for Maya and her family after her mother marries Mr. Clidell .

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maya learns hope and faith through her religious community but also learns fear and hate from living in a segregated and oppressive environment. How do you think the positive values of hope and faith can balance the fear and hate in Maya's life? Use examples from the book to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Years after Maya's rape she still suffered from fear and guilt. Why do you think these feelings continued in her?

Essay Topic 3

Do you think Maya had to grow up too fast? Why? Use examples from the book to illustrate your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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