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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 makes Yolanda feel better when she is thinking about her old home?

2. How is Shirley?

3. Who came into the school with a gun?

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

5. Who scolds Andrew?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where has Yolanda chosen to sit in her classroom and why?

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

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

4. What does Yolanda tell herself as she is running to Asphalt Hill?

5. What is one terrible thing that has happened lately?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Yolonda's Genius" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Yolonda's Genius"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Yolonda's Genius" to discuss, and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of how Yolanda is prejudice towards a white girl and thinks stereotypically when most people think of racism in the United States as being white prejudice towards blacks.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "Yolonda's Genius". What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "Yolonda's Genius" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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