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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 Anita and her mother communicate with Mundo?

2. Where do the soldiers who come to the compound say they are taking the men they arrest?

3. What does Anita do after talking with Tio Pepe?

4. What does Anita use to communicate with Oscar?

5. What does Anita's brother offer to do in the afternoon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the children do after the American school is closed and how do they get to school?

2. What does Anita know about why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?

3. What does Papi and the Washburns decide to do about Lucinda?

4. What happens when Mr. Washburn is driving in traffic?

5. How does Chucha help Anita and what does Chucha tell her?

6. What does Anita do when she discovers she has begun her first period?

7. What does Anita decide about men and why?

8. What does Anita discover when she goes into Lucinda's room, and what is Anita's reaction?

9. What does Anita overhear her father say about the Washburns?

10. What message from Chucha does Tia Mari give Anita ?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "Before We Were Free," Anita grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Anita as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Anita?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Anita's growth throughout "Before We Were Free," do you think "Before We Were Free" could be considered Anita's coming-of-age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Before We Were Free" who go through a coming-of-age experience? If yes, who and why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book's plot is principally either character driven plot or action driven, although some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs when it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Before We Were Free " has? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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