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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 does Anita's father tell her he wants for his children?

2. What does Anita's mother say on the second Sunday that they are in hiding?

3. Where is Anita on Thanksgiving Day?

4. What is revealed in Mr. Washburn's car when the accident occurs?

5. Who rescues Anita and her mami?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Anita and Mami communicate with Mundo?

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

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

4. What arrives for Lucinda the day after the party, and how does Lucinda feel?

5. Who does Mami call for help, and what does Mr. Mancini tell Anita and Mami to do?

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

7. Where do soldiers find El Jefe's body and who do they arrest and what do they say about Papi and Tio Toni?

8. What do Anita's diary entries for June 3, and June 5, 1961, say?

9. Who does Anita see out the bathroom window and what does she think?

10. What do Mami and Anita do in hiding?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Before We Were Free" belongs to the young-adult-novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give examples of three other genres in addition to the young-adult-novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons that it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons that it might be disadvantageous to do so.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young-adult novel and a historical mystery novel ?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Before We Were Free."

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Before We Were Free." How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Before We Were Free." How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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