View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How much time has passed from the encounter between Garrett and Maribel that Alma tells Arturo about it?

2. What do Arturo, Alma, and Maribel order at the pizza place on Arturo and Alma's anniversary?

3. What is the name of the energy company for Mayor's apartment building?

4. For what newspaper does Arturo work?

5. Who teaches Mayor to drive a stick shift?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information about Mayor and Maribel does Quisqueya relate to the Riveras?

2. What kind of car do the Toros buy? Why?

3. How does Gloria come into a sum of money? How much is it? What does she do with it?

4. How is the setting of Clay Creek Park described? Why do the Toros and Riveras go there?

5. Who is Jose Mercado and what is his backstory?

6. What are the repercussions of Quisqueya's news of Mayor and Maribel?

7. What is Nelia Zafon's backstory? Where is she from?

8. What is Adolfo “Fito” Angelino's back-story? What brought him to Delaware?

9. What does Mayor do when the first snow comes in March?

10. What is the significance of the song "Feliz Navidad" in the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Micho Alvarez? To what is he referring when he states the titular line of the novel? How is Micho different from the other main characters? What role does he play in the novel's plot?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of blame and guilt in The Book of Unknown Americans. Why does Alma blame herself for Maribel's accident? Do you think that her guilt is justified? Who is responsible for Arturo's death?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of the American Dream in The Book of Unknown Americans. What characters are motivated by the American Dream? How do these characters seek out the American Dream? Do they succeed?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 778 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample