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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 many men in dark glasses are in the Volkswagons?

2. What color is associated with Chucha?

3. Where is Tio Tony?

4. Where are Anita's grandparents?

5. What do Carla and Anita find difficult?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What do the secret police do and say at the compound, and what worries Anita?

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

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

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

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

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

9. What do Sammy, Anita and Oscar discuss?

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

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

Often authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Julia Alvarez.

2. What in Alvarez's background may have helped her in writing "Before We Were Free"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his or her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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