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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. Why does Deck insult Ronnie Parkman?

2. Why is Birdie suspicious of Jim?

3. What does Birdie tell the children at the beach?

4. How old is Nicholas in Chapter 10?

5. What type of music does Birdie enjoy hearing while on vacation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Birdie's conversation with Samantha at Dennis' party.

2. What does Birdie do after Dennis' party?

3. Why does Birdie imagine she is doing a school report for her old Nkrumah school?

4. How does Birdie endanger her and Sandy's cover story?

5. Who is Exu and why does Birdie pray to him?

6. What reaction does Birdie expect her mother to have about her absence?

7. Describe Birdie's trip to New York in Chapter 13.

8. How does Birdie finance her trip to California?

9. Describe Corvette.

10. How does Nicholas offend Birdie in Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the significance of Birdie's relationship to Nicholas. What lesson does Sandy teach Birdie about men and how does Nicholas fit into that lesson? What role does race play in Birdie's relationship with Nicholas? How might their relationship change once Birdie has established a life in Berkeley?

Essay Topic 2

How does Birdie's perceived race affect her status in society? What strengths will she need to develop as an adult in order to thrive in American society? How might living in Berkeley affect her outlook on people of mixed race?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the significance of Birdie's box of "negrobilia". What does the box originally contain and what types of items does Birdie add to it over the years? Why do Deck and Cole give Birdie the box? What is the significance of the negrobilia to Birdie?

(see the answer keys)

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