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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 reason did Benedicion Alvarado give for her housing preference?

2. What reason did Patricio Aragones give for his claim that he and the General would meet death at a tie?

3. At what time did the General always begin the day?

4. Where do the lepers live?

5. What was the motto of the national baseball team?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens at the meeting of the Federalist Generals?

2. What is the General's "second death"?

3. Describe the General's relationship with his mother

4. Why are the wild parrots exterminated by the Secret police?

5. How is the lottery system rigged?

6. Who were the Federalists?

7. Why does the General stop appearing in the city alongside the group of senators?

8. Who is the only man to survive the meeting of the Federalist Generals and how does he survive?

9. Describe the state of the presidential palace when the book opens.

10. How does the good fishwife unwittingly prove her loyalty to the General? Describe her actions.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Garcia Marquez sets up a marked contrast between history and memory. In various instances in the novel, the official versions deviate greatly from the remembered histories. Why, do you think, Garcia Marquez creates so many discrepancies? Discuss Garcia Marquez's commentary on the nature of truth, history and memory. Provide evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the treatment of children in this novel. At various stages of the General's rule, we are confronted with potentially disturbing treatment of children. From the indiscriminate fathering of thousands of children to the imprisonment and slaughter of the two thousand children under seven whose job it is to control the lottery, the General commits many acts of violence against children. Why does Garcia Marquez include these acts in the novel? What does this treatment accomplish? How does it affect our perception of the General? Provide specific details from the novel as support for your claims.

Essay Topic 3

How does Garcia Marquez handle violence in this novel? Why do so many characters meet such violent--often undeserved--ends? Think, for instance, of the two thousand children under the age of seven. Is this violence gratuitous, or does it contribute to a greater political statement? Support your answers using evidence from the novel.

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This section contains 880 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample