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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. Why does Motecuzoma become ruler?

2. Who comes and visits Mixtli and Zyanya, and stays awhile, in their new home?

3. What kind of town is "Where the Water Gushes"?

4. How does Mixtli react to the request Ticklish makes of him after he returns from the Raramuri?

5. With Motecuzoma's permission, where does Cortes take up residence?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does the Bishop give in his letter to the emperor for continuing to allow the Indians to be enslaved?

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

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

4. Why does Mixtli feel obligated to attend Motecuzoma's coronation?

5. What do Siriame and Mixtli do after they take jipuri cacti?

6. What kind of boat does Mixtli use to follow the lava flow out to sea?

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

8. What makes Mixtli decide to return to his wanderings when he is running with the Raramuri?

9. Why is Beu Ribe initially angry at Zyanya and Mixtli's engagement?

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

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

Choose 2 characters and discuss why the do or do not listen to the omens that indicate that something negative will be happening in the future. What are the omens? What do they predict? Why do these characters refuse to "see" them? What do we learn about these characters as a result?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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