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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 Andrew wake up the family in the mornings?

2. Why is Yolanda suspicious of Shirley?

3. How does Andrew seem when Yolanda reaches him at the park?

4. What does Yolanda do a lot of in the classroom?

5. What picture does Miss Gilluly give Andrew and ask him what it is?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Yolanda thinking about as the novel opens?

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

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

4. How does Yolanda go about getting Andrew a new harmonica?

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

6. What does Yolanda go to the library to research and what does she learn?

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

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

9. Who is impressed by Yolanda and why?

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

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

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "Yolonda's Genius"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in this story, including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Yolonda's Genius" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Do you think "Yolonda's Genius" ends on a happy note? Why or why not.

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Yolonda's Genius" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why this book is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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