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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 does Yolanda discover in the middle of the night?

2. What does Yolanda offer to teach Shirley?

3. What does Yolanda suddenly remember when Shirley mentions Andrew?

4. What does the Chimp do?

5. What does Vic ask Andrew to play on Andrew's harmonica?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Yolanda steer Shirley's interest away from talking about jump roping?

2. What are the skaters at Asphalt Hill's reactions to Andrew's harmonica playing?

3. Why does Yolanda usually add a comment when she answers a question?

4. Why is Yolanda suspicious of Shirley, yet still talks to her?

5. How is the cake when Yolanda returns from the park with Andrew?

6. How is Andrew when Yolanda finds him, and what is her reaction?

7. What gives Yolanda comfort in her new home?

8. How does Andrew become confused when Miss Gilluly shows him a picture of a dog?

9. What does Shirley say about double-dutch that causes Yolanda great discomfort?

10. Who is impressed by Yolanda and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Carol Fenner.

2. What in Carol Fenner's background may have helped her in writing "Yolonda's Genius"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Yolonda's Genius", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Yolonda's Genius". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "Yolonda's Genius" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Yolanda. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Andrew. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Shirley Piper. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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