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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. How do the men search under the beds?

2. Who is Carla?

3. Where is the setting of the school?

4. What does Mami tell Anita and Lucinda to do?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What are Carla and her siblings told to do when they get home, and what does Carla do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Anita is no exception.

1. Trace and analyze situations in which Anita demonstrates an instinct for handling problems that might be beyond the ability of a twelve-year-old girl. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Anita's character flaws, and explain how they create a more complex and believable character. How do you think Anita's character flaws make some situations more difficult for her?

3. After analyzing Anita's strengths and weaknesses, decide if she is the "heroine" of the story. Is there anyone else who might be considered such? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of the reader? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Before We Were Free" help a reader know himself or herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Before We Were Free"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Before We Were Free." Discuss one of the character's responses and compare it to how you think you would respond in the same situation.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Before We Were Free." Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alvarez chose the symbols she did?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Alvarez chose the metaphors she did?

3. Discuss Alvarez's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Alvarez use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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