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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. How far along in her pregnancy was Graciela at the time of her arrest?

2. What does she suggest to Maria Elena to help her sleep?

3. Which guard allows them to talk quietly?

4. With whom is Maria Elena in love?

5. Why were the high school students taken to the Little School?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alicia say is the only thing certain in their lives other than bread?

2. Why are Alicia and her husband placed side by side?

3. When a batch of new prisoners arrive, what is Alicia requested to do?

4. On what list are Graciela and Raul listed?

5. How do the prisoners communicate with the bread?

6. Why was Alicia suspicious of a newspaper report that surfaced claiming two couples were killed in a confrontation with the military in their area?

7. What was Alicia on the early bus to the suburbs?

8. What does water do for Alicia in Beauty Treatment?

9. What character trait helps Alicia get through many of her trials at the Little School?

10. What happened to Alicia the first time she called for a "Senor"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

By which groups of people does the Argentine military feel threatened? According to Alicia's writings, why are they are threat? How does Peronism play into the events of the novel? Initially, why does Alicia choose be become politically active? What is her mission now, after making it out of the Little School alive?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the chapters written form Alicia's perspective and the chapter written from Graciela's perspective. How are they similar? How do they differ? Be sure to examine:

1) Syntax.

2) Rhythm.

3) Content.

Essay Topic 3

Though the prisoners are forced to endure physical torture, they must also endure psychological torture. How is psychological torture different from physical torture? Choose two instances of psychological torture to discuss. How effective is the psychological torture at the Little School? How do the prisoners deal with it?

(see the answer keys)

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