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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's Momma find in Andrew's pocket?

2. What do they call Yolanda on the bus?

3. What is in an illustration that gives Andrew no motivation?

4. What does Yolanda decide to bake?

5. What is Asphalt Hill?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has Miss Gilluly done in relation to teaching Andrew to read?

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

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

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

5. How does Yolanda respond to the cruel comments by the other children on the bus?

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

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

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

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

10. Why does Momma decide to move from Chicago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.)

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Yolonda's Genius".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Yolonda's Genius". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Yolonda's Genius". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "Yolonda's Genius" is successful as a learning tool? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Carol Fenner's western novels? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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