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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. Judy Palmer is a:

2. Arturo inscribes his story to Mrs. Hargraves:

3. Arturo comments that the restaurant's expensive Scotch is:

4. What is it about Arturo's apartment that is perfect, as described to Camilla?

5. Hellfrick claims to be:

Short Essay Questions

1. Arturo reveals in Chapter 2 the two things that drive him. What are they?

2. Why does Camilla pull a frightening trick on Arturo at the beach?

3. Why does Arturo portray himself as such a patriotic American?

4. Based on his situation in Chapter 1, do you think someone like Arturo will be successful in his chosen career?

5. What makes Chapter 2 comical, if anything?

6. Mr. Hellfrick is an angry alcoholic who owes money to a very poor young man. Is he a bad person?

7. After his wild spending spree, Arturo rejects his new belongings. Discuss the reasons for this.

8. How does Arturo reveal his true feelings toward Camilla in this chapter?

9. What is the irony of Arturo's attitude toward Mexicans?

10. What does Arturo's interaction with Judy Palmer tell us about him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Arturo resigns himself to not finding Camilla in the end of the story, how does he comfort himself?

1) Discuss Arturo's mixed feelings toward Camilla.

2) If he had found her, how might Camilla's life have changed, if at all?

3) Was Camilla's problem with life all in her head? Did she have some real challenges?

Essay Topic 2

Racism is a consistent theme throughout the story.

1) Compare and contrast the racist treatment that Camilla and Arturo have both suffered from. How is one different from the other?

2) Has one of the characters been more hurt by racism than the other? How, and why?

3) Discuss Mrs. Hargraves' attitude and how she might fare in today's world as a hotel proprietor.

Essay Topic 3

The house on Laguna Beach represents a hope for normalcy on Arturo's part.

1) What is it about a house that embodies the possibility of a normal life?

2) What does the house, apparently, represent to Camilla?

3) Why is Arturo unable to stay in the house, once Camilla disappears?

(see the answer keys)

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