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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 is one thing Anita learns about their country's leader?

2. Why is school not opening on time?

3. What does Anita receive for Christmas that helps her process her life?

4. What are the men in dark glasses using as an excuse to search the compound?

5. Why does Anita's mother say she and Anita's father are staying in the Dominican Republic?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mami ask Anita not to do?

2. How does Anita begin to see their leader in a different light?

3. Why does Anita use a pencil in her journal?

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

5. What does Chucha reply when Anita asks about seeing her cousins again, and how does Anita feel about the answer?

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

7. Describe Chucha and why she is mentioned.

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

9. How does Anita's mother talk to her for the first time?

10. What happens when the teacher wants the children to play secret Santa for Christmas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting for this novel is The Dominican Republic in the 1960's. Discuss the following:

1. Research the setting of The Dominican Republic in the 1960's and write a brief description of the area, its climate, the primary means of livelihood, and its location within the world.

2. Do you think The Dominican Republic is a good choice for the setting of this novel? Why or why not?

4. How different do you think the The Dominican Republic in the 1960's is from The Dominican Republic of today? Explain some differences and similarities.

5. Examine three scenes in the novel and explain how the setting influences what happens in the action of those scenes.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Before We Were Free" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? If not, can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "Before We Were Free" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Anita. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Chucha. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Sam. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Oscar. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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