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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. Where does Mixtli follow the lava flow to?

2. What region do the Spaniards say they are exploring?

3. For how long does Ahuitzotl stay in a stupor after the flood hits?

4. What religion are the Spaniards trying to spread?

5. How does Nochipa die?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. According to legend, who induces the people from Aztlan to seek power by worshiping the war god and feeding him with human sacrifices?

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

6. Who does Mixtli suspect rapes Beu Ribe?

7. What is the effect of taking jipuri cacti?

8. Who decides to make up a story about how the civilians (that Mixtli killed) were massacred by unknown assailants?

9. What military tactic does Mixtli advise Ahuitzotl about when he presents him with his second quartz crystal?

10. What does Motecuzoma do instead of making peace and preparing for the Outlander invasion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Cortes's and Motecuzoma's leadership styles. How are they different? How are they the same? What do they show the reader about each character? What commentary is Jennings making about the past and future of the indigenous populations through these two characters?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss female sexuality in Aztec by completing a character analysis of at least two female characters of the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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