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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 want Yolanda to aspire to be someday?

2. What is Yolanda looking for before the concert begins?

3. How does Yolanda feel as she is waiting at the concert that night?

4. What cause Yolanda to become furious?

5. What does Andrew play for the store owner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens that gives Yolanda an idea about how to get back stage?

2. Describe Yolanda's family's first night with Aunt Tiny.

3. What does Yolanda do when she sees two female security guards?

4. What happens when Yolanda notices three men eying her momma?

5. Who admires Yolanda standing up to Romulus, and what is Yolanda's response to his admiration?

6. Why doesn't there seem to be any way back stage?

7. What does Momma say in reply to Yolanda saying Andrew is a genius and needs a special school?

8. What happens when Yolanda and Andrew visit Stellers music store?

9. How do Yolanda and Andrew play in their concert for Aunt Tiny and Yolanda's momma, and how do the two women respond to the performance?

10. What does Aunt Tiny do for a living, and how does that help Yolanda's family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Characters are an important part of what makes "Yolonda's Genius" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Yolanda. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Andrew. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Shirley Piper. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Yolanda is eleven throughout much of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Yolanda seems like an average eleven year old? Give examples and why you say her activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Yolanda seems older than her age of 11? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Yolanda as she is developed throughout the book.

3. Do you think most eleven year old girls would look out for their six-year-old brother in the ways Yolanda does? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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