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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 does Nochipa die?

2. To what animal does the lava flow that allows Mixtli to eat freely?

3. Who gives Mixtli a house?

4. Whom does Mixtli leave his daughter with when he goes on another journey after the flood?

5. What body fluid does on Otomi townspeople drink because they think it is magical?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Mixtli's crystals and bone carvings received?

2. What two factors in particular convince Mixtli that the Spaniards are not gods?

3. What is the only thing that provides a cheerful diversion for Mixtli during the time he spends building a new colony?

4. Why does Cortes burn all of his ships but one?

5. How does Motecuzoma handle the attack of the tribute collector?

6. What does Snake Woman realize after she is sent with golden gifts to Cortes in Chololan?

7. What does Mixtli tell Motecuzoma about the huge ships, or houses, that have been spotted in the Eastern Sea?

8. What is the effect of taking jipuri cacti?

9. What features does Mixtli like in the house Ahuitzotl builds for him?

10. What does Mixtli do to show his urgency among the priests who hold the purple dye?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the flood that sweeps Zyanya away to her death, making sure to use specific evidence in the text as you discuss both the symbolism behind the flood and what its consequences (e.g., the death of Zyanya) mean within the larger context of the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Using direct evidence from the text, discuss what Mixtli's near-sightedness symbolizes and at least 3 literary devices Jennings uses to convey this symbolism.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the incestuous relationship between Mixtli and Tzitzi, its effect on the reader, and its function in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 526 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample