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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Rodriguez think skin color says about financial status?
(a) Dark-skinned people are poor.
(b) Light-skinned people are poor.
(c) Light-skinned people need to work less and get outside more.
(d) Dark-skinned people are rich.

2. According to Rodriguez, what do minority students need to succeed in college?
(a) A support system of other minority students.
(b) Basic skills and an educational background that prepares them for college.
(c) Supportive professors and family members.
(d) Extra tutoring.

3. Where does Rodriguez go for his fellowship?
(a) London.
(b) Paris.
(c) Rome.
(d) Mexico City.

4. Does Rodriguez's mother blame him for what happened to their family?
(a) No, but she thinks he made it worse when he went to London.
(b) Yes, but she also blames herself.
(c) No.
(d) Yes.

5. How do Rodriguez's parents see themselves in American society?
(a) They can participate in it, but they keep themselves separate.
(b) They are a part of American society.
(c) They want to be more a part of American society than they are.
(d) They are totally separate from American society.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Mr. Secrets, Chapter 1, what does Rodriguez's mother beg him not to do?

2. Based on her behavior, who does Rodriguez's mother consider part of the "gringos"?

3. What has happened to Rodriguez's classmate who applied for the same type of teaching jobs?

4. What is one thing that Rodriguez says happened to black students promoted through affirmative action?

5. What does Rodriguez learn about complexion from his family?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do people respond to Rodriguez's skin color when he is younger?

2. As more minority students attend college, what does Rodriguez notice about their relationship to their culture? Give specific examples.

3. What are Rodriguez's parents' ideas about masculine and feminine characteristics? How does that affect Rodriguez?

4. As a teacher, how does Rodriguez interact with these other minority students? Why does he act that way?

5. How do Rodriguez's ideas about dark skin change as he grows up? Give specific examples.

6. What does Rodriguez think about the Civil Rights Movement?

7. As a child, what does Rodriguez learn about dark skin?

8. What does Rodriguez think about the current system of affirmative action? Give two examples he uses to support his argument.

9. How does Rodriguez describe his mother's interaction with the public world? Give specific examples.

10. How does Rodriguez overcome his attitudes about dark skin? Give two specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

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