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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 do after talking with Tio Pepe?

2. What do Anita and Mami hear on the radio?

3. What does someone in a limousine bring?

4. What has Mrs. Mancini done to her master bedroom?

5. What happens the next morning after El Jefe is assassinated just as Chucha is waking Anita?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are Mami and Anita waiting for and how has Pupo failed the rebels?

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

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

5. What does Papi say he wants for his children?

6. Who are arrested in town and why?

7. How do Anita and Mami communicate with Mundo?

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

9. What does Anita decide about men and why?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot? Define any elements that you list. Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Before We Were Free," identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot or the various elements? Why or why not?

3. Identify the major sub-plots in "Before We Were Free," identifying their various elements. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable? Why or why not? If yes, which ones?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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