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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 the weather like?

2. What happens when Anita asks adults about her country's leader?

3. How many men in dark glasses are in the Volkswagons?

4. What is Chucha's opinion about these men?

5. What does Anita's papi explain to Anita?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Upon what occasion do the people living in the compound decide to have a party?

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

4. What does the teacher tell Carla and Anita after she goes outside to talk to Carla's mother?

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

6. Why do parents not like their daughters to go out in public places?

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

8. Why does Anita's mother send Anita to Tio Toni's home on her way to the party?

9. What does Mami ask Anita not to do?

10. Who is moving in next door, and why is Anita particularly happy about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Before We Were Free."

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea or concept you think may have been a part of the Alvarez's agenda. Analyze that idea as it appears throughout the book and discuss Alvarez's probable agenda concerning that idea.

3. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

4. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

5. Research the life of Julia Alvarez to see if her life may have influenced her writing and, if so, where and how?

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, perhaps a majority of novels, end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Before We Were Free "and whether or not it fulfills all three, two, or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Before We Were Free" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction (no matter how poorly written) enlighten, teach, or stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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