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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 do Anita and Chucha look at together?

2. What does Anita ask Chucha about her cousins?

3. What was Tio Tony involved in that makes him a wanted man?

4. Why do the teacher and the two visitors step into the hallway?

5. Why does Anita go to her uncle's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who comes into the classroom and what does the teacher do?

2. What does Anita realize when she writes in her diary?

3. How does Anita feel when Oscar comes over to play with Sammy?

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

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

6. Describe Chucha and why she is mentioned.

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

8. What does Mami ask Anita not to do?

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

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

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

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 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot? Define any elements that you list. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Before We Were Free," identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot or the various elements? Why or why not?

3. Identify the major sub-plots in "Before We Were Free," identifying their various elements. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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