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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. Why is Yolanda suspicious of Shirley?

2. Who was at the playground when Andrew was there?

3. What does Andrew continue to do after school?

4. Who is Willie Meredith?

5. What cheers Yolanda's spirits?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Andrew meet when he arrives for his reading lesson?

2. What does Yolanda yell to Shirley as Yolanda is running out of the house?

3. How does Shirley react to what Yolanda tells her?

4. How does Yolanda feel in Michigan and why?

5. How does Vic use music to make a connection with Andrew?

6. Who is Andrew's teacher and why is she scolding him?

7. What is the other terrible thing that has happened recently?

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

9. What does Yolanda "borrow" of her mother's, and what is she thinking about as she does so?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Yolonda's Genius is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols, then trace and analyze their appearance in "Yolonda's Genius". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Fenner chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in "Yolonda's Genius". Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Fenner chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Fenner's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Fenner use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme.)

(see the answer keys)

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