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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 does Lucinda tell Susie about her upcoming birthday?

2. Who is Chucha?

3. What does Oscar talk about concerning the country?

4. Why does Anita's father say they have to stay?

5. What is one topic Anita and her mother discuss?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Papi say when he returns from work?

2. Where is Anita at the opening of the story, and what is she doing?

3. How do Anita and Carla react to Carla's leaving, and how does Mami comfort them?

4. When is school supposed to re-open and what happens at that time?

5. What do Sam and Anita see at Tio Tony's home and what do they decide to do about it?

6. What does Mami ask Anita not to do?

7. Why is Anita spending more time in the bathroom?

8. What do Anita and Chucha see at Toni's house and what does Chucha tell Anita?

9. The morning after Chucha moves in, who arrives at the compound after Anita's father leaves?

10. What does Anita's mother say when the children are allowed to go back to school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Before We Were Free." Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Before We Were Free." Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of freedom in Before We Were Free. Who is free at the beginning of "Before We Were Free"? Who is free by the end of of the novel? What price was paid for freedom? What types of freedom besides physical freedom are implied?

Essay Topic 2

Often authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Julia Alvarez.

2. What in Alvarez's background may have helped her in writing "Before We Were Free"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his or her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare and contrast the characters of Anita and Lucinda. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare and contrast the characters of Sam and Oscar. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded person?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Before We Were Free" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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