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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 miss about her former home?

3. What was Andrew told would help his Momma?

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

5. Why is Yolanda suspicious of Shirley?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Describe Andrew's encounter with the drug pushers at Asphalt Hill.

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

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

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

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

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

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 the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Yolonda's Genius" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1, and judge if it is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Yolonda's Genius" a successful novel? What about teens?

Essay Topic 3

Understanding the setting, both the place and time, helps the reader to enjoy a novel. Discuss the following:

1. Research Chicago and Grand River, Michigan in the early 21st century, and write an informative essay about the social and geographical aspects.

2. Research the way drug pushers lure children to use drugs and write an informative essay about the situation and offer one or more solutions.

3. Compare/contrast the life of Yolanda in Chicago, IL and then Grand River, MI to your life when you were eleven.

(see the answer keys)

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