View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Selina call for assistance in finding a job at the end of the book?

2. In Book 4, whom of the following does Selina spend a lot of time with despite that person having lost the ability to talk?

3. At the party in Book 4, what does Selina ask Beryl upon becoming annoyed with her compliant behavior?

4. What does Clive do a lot?

5. How does Selina display her grief for her father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mrs. Benton think about Selina?

2. After Miss Mary dies, Selina dances and laughs with Suggie. What do those actions convey to Selina about herself?

3. Why does Suggie warn Selina to stay away from the Barbadian Association?

4. Why does Selina call her mother "Hitler"?

5. Why is Silla upset with Deighton's adoration of Father Peace?

6. Why does Clive warn Selina against joining the Modern Dance Club?

7. What kind of symbolism is embedded in Selina's new job?

8. How does Father Peace upset Selina rather than make her feel welcome?

9. As Selina gains more life experience with other mothers such as Clive's and Mrs. Benton, what does she realize?

10. In Book 3, Chapters 8-10, what is the basis that Silla relies on to blame Deighton for the death of their son?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The topic of sexuality appears often throughout the book. How does it relate to Selina's coming of age? Which elements or shifts does Selina experience in her understanding of sexuality as she is growing up? Give an overall time line of Selina's knowledge, and sum up her status by the end of book. Does she have a full understanding of sexuality? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the ways in which Selina is innocent and how she gains knowledge. Connect those ideas to major themes in the book. In other words, identify the areas in which Selina is innocent, and track her journey into a more knowledgeable status in the area(s) that you cite. What themes do those topics illuminate?

Essay Topic 3

Silla and Selina have a volatile relationship. Describe and analyze the changes that take place in their relationship over time. In what way(s) does Selina evolve into a person like her mother? Different from her mother? Does she embody more of Silla's negative characteristics, or more of her positive characteristics? Do you think that Selina surpasses her mother in character? Why or why not? Support your position with statements from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 822 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample