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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through The Day of the Dead.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Through dissimulation, what does a Mexican attempt to do?
(a) Become invisible and save his individuality.
(b) Share his individuality with others to make it real.
(c) Withdraw from society to save his individuality.
(d) Become himself in contradistinction to others.

2. What do a pachuco's actions and lifestyle demonstrate?
(a) His anger at a culture that will not assimilate him.
(b) His will to remain different.
(c) His dissatisfaction with North American culture.
(d) His desire to return to Mexico.

3. According to Paz's argument, what is the source of the North American's irritation with the pachuco?
(a) He does not know how to relate to the pachuco.
(b) He sees the pachuco as a mythical figure, and thus dangerous.
(c) He sees the pachuco as an invader.
(d) He sees the pachuco as a threat to North American society.

4. In his obsession with hygiene, work, and health, what does the North American miss?
(a) All-consuming love.
(b) Truth.
(c) True anger.
(d) True joy.

5. What analogy does Paz use to explain Mexico's history?
(a) A man searching for his wife.
(b) A man searching for his parents.
(c) A child without a family.
(d) A child without a future.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did the sense of Mexicanism "float" in the air of Los Angeles?

2. On which group of people were Paz's thoughts focused?

3. In Paz's opinion, when is a person most likely to see himself as precious and unique?

4. As explained in Chapter One, who are the pachucos?

5. How does the pachuco present himself to the people around him?

(see the answer key)

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