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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. Where is Amir from?

2. Why is Virgil embarrassed?

3. What did Sae Young and her husband buy when they arrived in the U.S.?

4. Who does Maricela see in the garden?

5. Why does Sae Young want to join the garden?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does everyone in the garden want to help the girls in the chapter “Maricela”?

2. Why does Nora want to tell the tourists of the garden?

3. What is Curtis’ reaction to his tomato plants?

4. Describe Curtis, as he is now, in terms of his priorities.

5. Explain why Virgil becomes angry and ashamed at his father.

6. Explain what Curtis does to thwart off the thieves.

7. Describe what Nora does to allow Mr. Myles to garden.

8. Explain what happens during the rainstorm.

9. What is the point of the program for teen mothers?

10. What is Mr. Myles’ reaction to the garden?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the title mean? How is it used in the book? How are the pioneers of the garden “Seedfolks”? What did their efforts mean to the community? How did they enhance their environment?

Essay Topic 2

Maricela’s story is a very powerful one in the novel. Describe Maricela’s life at the beginning of the novel. Why does she feel so persecuted? What does she hope for? Who changes this, and why? How does the garden help her to begin to accept her state, and her future?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, Sam makes a conscious effort to make the neighborhood friendlier. Choose three times in the novel where another character mentions Sam, and explain how his efforts have helped the community. Why do you think Sam tries to improve his neighborhood? Are his efforts successful?

(see the answer keys)

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