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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 long does the Phonic Ear company say it will take to fix Cece's microphone?

2. What is Mike's reaction when Cece tells him about her Phonic Ear powers?

3. How does Cece respond when Mike tells her that her curly pencil was cool and that he does not know why its destroyer had taken that action?

4. Just before she decides that she needs a sidekick, Cece remarks that somehow for her, being alone is always what?

5. Cece decides that instead of telling anyone about her crush, she will perform what action?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about Martha's reasons for breaking off her friendship with Cece?

2. What is the symbolism of the Hostess cherry pie?

3. How does Cece feel about the letter she receives in August that tells her who her fifth grade teacher will be?

4. When Cece again spends time with Ginny after a long time apart, what is one thing about Ginny that Cece says is the same and what is one thing about Ginny that Cece says is different?

5. What happens to break Cece's microphone for her Phonic Ear?

6. In what way does El Deafo play a role in Cece's decision to tell Mike about her Phonic Ear powers?

7. What unexpected benefit does Cece receive when trying out her new glasses for the first time?

8. How do Cece and Martha become friends?

9. How is the theme of tenacity demonstrated in the outcome of Cece's flexed-arm hang test?

10. What visual element does Cece Bell often use to indicate the overwhelming nature of being able to hear words while not being able to understand them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Deja's character throughout the novel. Discuss whether she is a round or flat character and whether she is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Cece Bell's graphic novel memoir El Deafo. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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