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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 confuses Emilia about Americans?

2. What does Magda's boyfriend hope to get from dating her?

3. What did Magda's aunt see one of the twins doing?

4. What does Senora Rita do with Magda's boyfriend?

5. What does Cora reveal to Magda and Emilia in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Magda collect the sweat and blood of the people who are tortured in the cell next to hers?

2. Why does Mamacita bring Magda to her home?

3. Describe Magda's hometown.

4. What realization does Magda have about her future while recovering from Jaime's death?

5. Why does Magda lie to Gabriela about having a large breakfast?

6. Why is Marco unhappy that Magda wants to see Che speak?

7. What is significant about Senora Francisca having a bare house?

8. What does the taxi driver say that helps Magda after Jaime's death, and why does it affect her?

9. Who is Che Guevara?

10. What does Emilia find strange about Americans?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Magda and Emilia are best friends. Despite their differences, they try to help and protect each other as best as they can, even if it does not always end up well.

Part 1) Compare and contrast Magda and Emilia. What are their similarities? Their differences?

Part 2) How does Magda's desire to protect Emilia end up hurting both of the girls in the long run? How could these events have been avoided?

Part 3) Where are both of the girls at the end of the novel? How have they changed? How have they stayed the same? Are they still best friends? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Senora Francisca makes the observation that the Tupamaros need to either become completely peaceful or a completely terrorist organization. Emilia, after her imprisonment, accuses her mother and Magda of using her for the Tupamaros as much as the government uses people, an accusation that rings deep. In this essay, discuss the statements of Emilia and Senora Francisca and how they relate to the government. A good way to develop a thesis statement would be to compare and contrast the government to the Tupamaros.

Essay Topic 3

It seems that the characters only truly mature and progress into their fight for what they believe is right when they are marked by tragedy. Is this the author's intent? Be sure to discuss:

1) Magda's sexual assault.

2) The deaths of Jaime and Gabriela.

3) Emilia's wrongful imprisonment.

4) Cora's near-miss with the Holocaust in Europe.

(see the answer keys)

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