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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 worries Anita?

2. What does Oscar talk about concerning the country?

3. What does Chucha tell the children to pretend?

4. What doesn't feel right to some of the students?

5. Where are the children allowed off the compound?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Papi explain to Anita about Carla when Anita gets home?

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

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

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

6. What does Mami ask Anita not to do?

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

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

9. How does Antia compare American elections to those of her country?

10. What does Mami say about why the family is staying in the country?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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).

Essay Topic 2

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 3

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "Before We Were Free?" How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in "Before We Were Free," including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Before We Were Free" and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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