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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. Cece states that being what "feels a lot like being alone" (46)?

2. What type of house do Cece and her family leave behind when they move to a new place?

3. In what wintertime activity are Cece and Laura engaged when Laura tells Cece that Cece is doing it all wrong?

4. What part of Cece's body does the nurse keep measuring throughout her stay at the hospital?

5. Laura tells Cece that Cece is a what "kind of funny" (48) person?

Short Essay Questions

1. Cece Bell begins the narrative by stating, "I was a regular little kid" (1). What examples does she provide for her conclusion?

2. How is the theme of family bonds depicted within Cece's return home from the hospital?

3. What methods does the audiologist use to test Cece's hearing?

4. How is the theme of condescension depicted within the scene at Ginny's sleepover party?

5. How does the theme of cruelty emerge within Cece's interactions with Laura throughout their first and second grade years?

6. What signs lead Cece to eventually realize that she has a hearing impairment?

7. What is the author's purpose for including images related to fishing on page 60?

8. Discuss how and when Bell makes it clear that the novel has serious themes, despite its status as a graphic novel.

9. Discuss how the theme of appearance versus reality is depicted in the scene when the kids in Cece's new neighborhood turn the radio louder for her.

10. Discuss the irony present in the scene when Cece declares, "Just call me El Deafo!" (68).

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

State whether you think the portrayals of the main characters within Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo are believable or not. Be sure to discuss the reasons for your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author's choice to tell the story of Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo using the first person point-of-view. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what is the author's intended effect on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

What is the author's message regarding courage in Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo and what themes does the author employ in order to send these messages to the reader?

(see the answer keys)

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