ANSWER KEY

1.) c

2.) b

3.) d

4.) d

5.) a

6.) b

7.) b

8.) d

9.) c

10.) a

11.) b

12.) b

13.) b

14.) c

15.) b

ESSAY TOPIC IDEAS / BOOK REPORT TOPICS

1. The book had originated as a series of articles by author Ron Suskind about Cedric Jennings. Those initial articles earned Cedric some attention, which is noted in passing at several points in the book. Why does Suskind understate the role his writing played in Cedric's life during the course of the story? Was it a wise move? Would it have been better if Suskind had been more forthcoming in describing his role in Cedric's life, or would that detract from Cedric's story?

2. Of all the narrative tangents where the perspective of a character besides Cedric is explored, which ones were the most important? Which ones were the least important? On what do you base the importance, what criteria are you applying?

3. Do you believe the background of the author has any impact on the writing of the book? Would an African American author have written parts of the book differently? How about an author from the same social and class background as Cedric? Choose specific examples and passages from the book to support your claims.

4. In what way would you describe this book as a quintessential example of the American dream? What is the American dream exactly? What does the idea of the American dream mean for Cedric in particular, as well as for the people around him?

5. How much importance does Cedric place in his academic successes? What are the reasons he gives to others, as opposed to those he keeps primarily to himself? What importance do other people place on Cedric's success? In what ways do these people benefit? Give specific examples and cite specific passages to support your claims.

6. What important national events are described in the course of the novel? What about nationally known figures who appear in one way or another in this book? How does the placement of these events and these people influence the way we read about Cedric and his experiences? Would the book have been more effective if it explored these events in greater detail? Why or why not?

7. Examine the ways mass media is deployed throughout the course of the book. What movies are described, what music, what television shows? How are they used in the book, and by whom? What lessons or insights are derived from the way these examples of media are used?

8. How important is the academic framework of the story? Would the book be as effective if it described some other means of success, such as sports or entertainment? What would be gained, what would be lost? What would essentially remain the same if the narrative shifted in this way, and would that be enough?

9. Examine all the ways that Cedric seems out of place with his surroundings and the people around him. In what ways does this change as the story progresses? In what ways does it remain the same? How much of this is a reflection of Cedric as a person, and how much of it is about his social and economic standing? Would this story have worked as well - dramatically, thematically - if Cedric was better at adapting to his situations? Why or why not?

10. What are the different attitudes to religion expressed throughout the book? Chart out opinions, who voices them, and at what point in the book these opinions are shared with the reader. Does a narrative of religion exist in this novel --that is, does a way of understanding religion in general emerge - and what does that narrative tell us?

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