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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 Yolanda enjoy the first concert?

2. Why is Yolanda upset about what Stoney Buxton tells her?

3. What does Yolanda suggest to her mother about Andrew?

4. Of what is Yolanda's mother not convinced concerning Andrew?

5. What is Yolanda's strongest trait to help her pull off her scheme?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Yolanda unable to listen as the concert opens?

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

3. 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?

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

5. Why does Yolanda volunteer to reserve her family's seats for the concert that evening?

6. What happens when Momma finally notices Andrew's new harmonica?

7. What disturbs Yolanda about how Aunt Tiny fixes Yolanda's mother's hair?

8. What does Momma want Yolanda to study in college and what are Yolanda's ambitions?

9. Describe the exchange between Yolanda and Shirley in school concerning the jump rope.

10. What "epiphany" does Yolanda have when she is at the park?

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

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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