Black Ice Study Guide

What is the name of the neighbor who first shared the idea of attending St. Paul's school with Lorene Cary (the narrator/main character)?

By which means would the narrator be able to attend St. Paul's?

Who did she have to first telephone call as part of the interview/application process?

What is the name of Cary's public high school in suburban Philadelphia?

Who does Cary compare black to when discussing ambition in this chapter?

What was the name of the black teacher from St. Paul's that she met during the orientation meeting in suburban Philadelphia?

What athletic activity does Cary's father participate in and for which he achieved notable success?

During this same orientation meeting in suburban Philadelphia, Cary met a current St. Paul's student. He was a senior recruiter and she thought he was quite charming. What was his name?

At which conclusion did the author arrive during her orientation meeting?

During the orientation, Mama asked the fearful question about whether "while teachers four hundred miles away would give her kid a fair grade". How did the representative from St. Paul's answer that question?

What is the significance of Peanut Butter at the end of chapter 1?

Where was St. Paul's located?

Who was "dreamy" tour guide that showed the Cary family around the St. Paul campus?

Considering the family church back home and the chapel at St. Paul's, which of the following comparisons is referenced in the text?

What was most noticeable to Cary about the "classroom sounds" at St. Paul's?

Who conducted the interview with Cary and her parents?

What "bald-faced lie" did Cary say during the interview?

Which of the following is NOT the name of one of the female, black students Cary met during the school visit?

What do we learn about Cary's grandparents at the end of chapter 2?

What father-daughter experience did Lorene Cary share in her essay for admission to St. Paul's?

The author, Lorene Cary, was a member of the graduating class of which year?

Which of the following emotions best describes how Cary felt about leaving her public school friends behind?

The author states that after being accepted to St. Paul's school she placed added emphasis on being involved with everything her school had to offer. She did all of these things with her two best friends. What were their names?

In attempt to demonstrate her youthful spirit and her preserved purity, the author and her two best friends make a bet about whom will first lose their virginity. The last one to preserve herself is obligated to buy something for the other two. What is this item?

"Spring broke out, new green and flowery, and I missed each wave of bloom. I missed the crocuses and daffodils and the delicate weeping cherries. I caught only nature's neon, the azaleas, as if out of the corner of my eye. Each time I noticed, something had just finished and turned brown." Given that proximity to her departure for St. Paul's, which of the following best describes the purpose of the language above?

During the summer preceding her departure for St. Paul's, where did Cary work?

Which of the following best describes Cary's internal conflict in this chapter?

Cary and her mother discuss an important issue in this chapter. Her mother encourages her to stay "intact" and that if she has problems in that area to do something specific. What is her mom worried about and what is her specific guidance?

The author comes to an important realization after the preceding conversation with her mother. What is it?

The author refers to an item that she used to calm her nerves and that this item had to be left behind. What was the item?

In the spirit of a typical teenage nerves before a life-changing event, the author analogizes her impending move to St. Paul's with another event in which she was certain of its propriety but was dismayed by her lack of judgement?

Where was she to first report when arriving at St. Paul's?

What was the name of the young black man she met on day one? Hint: he was the president of the six form

Lee Bouton, a black female at St. Paul's, was in the first grouping of females to enroll. How may black females were in the first such enrollment in 1971?

Speaking of Lee Bouton, what was unique and impressive about how she arrives at St. Paul's?

What was the name of the house where Cary was first to live?

Which of the following is the name of the Japanese girl whom Cary befriended?

After helping Cary into her room at school, another internal conflict welled up inside the author. What was this conflict?

How does Cary respond to the Rector's opening speech during the First Night Service?

The author concludes chapter 3 by calling her selfish. What had she done to be selfish?

What sequence of "forms" corresponds with traditional labeling of high school grades? Which is St. Paul's equivalent to 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade?

Which of the following is the stereotype that Cary shares about white people?

What does it mean to "turn something out"?

What does the author believe her "duty" is at St. Paul's?

Which characteristics was most similar among Cary's teachers?

What was the title of the book she had to read for religion class?

What is the name of the tall, skinny, black young man that Cary befriends?

Where do we see Cary guilty of blatant stereotyping, the kind she was sure was being used on her?

What was the compulsory sport Cary had to participate in?

She learn of a famous student named Bernard Cash. He was the head of Afro-Am. What realization does she share about the mighty Bernard?

Describe one of the two dreams that the author describes in chapter 5 and offer me your explanation of the dream's meaning.

The author experienced a horrible, significant, and life-changing event in Chapter 6. Describe this event. (one word)

What was Cary's summer job between her Fifth Form and Sixth Form year?

Which internal conflict did Cary experience in the beginning of Chapter 10?

Which frightening event was experienced by the author in the beginning of Chapter 9?

Cary tells us in the middle of chapter 10 that she had narrowed her list of colleges to two. Which two?

After the Schenectady visit, Cary dumped Ricky and agreed to go on a date with a coworker. What is his name?

Which less-than-impressive act did Cary's date perform that night?

What did Cary do to her little sister, Carole, that altered the course for their relationship?

Does Cary end chapter 9 by desiring a return to St. Paul's or not?

As Cary opens chapter 10 and describes the scene on opening day her Sixth Form year, which of the following best describes her mood?

Entering her final year at St. Paul's, Cary gets the benefit of a special privilege. What is this special privilege?

What important role did Cary serve during her final year?

In her Black and White Survey course with Mr. Price, how did Cary feel about Mr. Price's classroom performance?

Why would any of the above conflicts exist?

Which of the following is the name of the boy with which Cary anticipated a budding romance?

"Parents' Day turned out to be an unsettling time" (Cary 181). Why?

During one of the Parents' Day ceremonies, the headmaster, Mr. Oates, introduced Cary as what?

During Cary's speech to the parents a disturbing thing happened. What happened?

Which very prestigious college was interested in Cary? So much so, they are willing to pay for her to come visit?

What reason did Cary give for not being able to make the visit referenced in the question above?

Where did Cary go the minute she arrived back in Yeadon?

Continued family issues resulted in which of the following?

When the school found out what was troubling Cary, what did they do?

Cary ends chapter 10 by saying, "I looked forward ti the inexplicable feeling of forgiveness that came over me at the end of a session. That, too, was a secret" (Cary 193). Which of the following best describes Cary's feelings at the end of chapter 10?

Essay: Ask yourself why would Mr. Paas want us to read this book. It has to do with racial divisiveness and insensitivity. (**50 points**)