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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. What does Yolanda volunteer to do the day of the concert?

2. What is one question Yolanda asks while she is at the park?

3. Where does Yolanda take Andrew after her encounter with Foster?

4. What does Yolanda find in her search at the park?

5. What does Andrew play for the store owner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Yolanda do when she sees two female security guards?

2. Why does Yolanda not say goodbye to anyone when her family is leaving to go visit 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. What does Aunt Tiny do for a living, and how does that help Yolanda's family?

5. How does Yolanda explain all her questions to the security guards?

6. Why does Yolanda send Shirley away in a cruel manner?

7. What does Momma say in reply to Yolanda saying Andrew is a genius and needs a special school?

8. How does Yolanda feel after Shirley leaves and what does she say to her aunt Tiny about Shirley?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols, then trace and analyze their appearance in "Yolonda's Genius". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Fenner chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in "Yolonda's Genius". Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Fenner chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Fenner's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Fenner use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme.)

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Yolonda's Genius".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Yolonda's Genius". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Yolonda's Genius". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Understanding the setting, both the place and time, helps the reader to enjoy a novel. Discuss the following:

1. Research Chicago and Grand River, Michigan in the early 21st century, and write an informative essay about the social and geographical aspects.

2. Research the way drug pushers lure children to use drugs and write an informative essay about the situation and offer one or more solutions.

3. Compare/contrast the life of Yolanda in Chicago, IL and then Grand River, MI to your life when you were eleven.

(see the answer keys)

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