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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. Who does Anita think about when her brother asks about his girlfriend?

2. What grade is Anita placed in at school in New York?

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

4. What does Anita use to communicate with Oscar?

5. What is Anita beginning to have a hard time doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Anita overhear her father and other men talking about concerning Trujillo, and what does Anita's mother say to the men?

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

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

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

5. How does Mrs. Mancini's distrust of people turn out to be fortuitous?

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

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

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

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

10. What do Mami and Anita do in hiding?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of the reader? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Before We Were Free" help a reader know himself or herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Before We Were Free"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Before We Were Free." Discuss one of the character's responses and compare it to how you think you would respond in the same situation.

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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