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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 occupation is Ramun's father famous for?

2. Who dives when Mr. Salazar's fleet reaches the oyster beds?

3. Luzon cautions Ramun against talking too much where?

4. Where do Ramun and his father take the pearl once they reach home?

5. How many boats are in the Salazar's fleet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ramun put the small pearls he found in the other half of the oyster shell?

2. Why does Ramun's father close the door to his home workshop when he is examining the pearl?

3. How is the Manta Diablo banished to the sea?

4. Which characters from the story ride in the Santa Theresa boat from the Salazar fleet?

5. In Soto Luzon's lagoon, who listens and becomes angry if the people talk too much?

6. Using descriptions from the text, describe how a boat in the Salazar fleet looks.

7. What simile does Ramun use to describe how fast the word about the pearl spreads through the town of La Paz?

8. According to Ramun's mother, what does the Manta Diablo look like?

9. What conclusion does Ramun's father come up with about the giant pearl and its flaw before he cuts the pearl?

10. How does Ramun know that Soto Luzon is coming to visit Ramun at the pearl business?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A major part of a novel is the point of view. What point of view is this story told from? What are the advantages and disadvantages of telling the story from this point of view? Why do you think the author chose this point of view?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how greed was a central theme to the story. How is greed represented in the story? Is there more than one type of greed presented? In what ways is Mr. Salazar greedy? How do the other characters react to each other's greed in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Using details from the text and class discussions, describe Ramun and Gaspar Ruiz's relationship. How are Ruiz and Ramun like brothers? Do Ruiz and Ramun have a friendly relationship? How is Ruiz a negative influence on Ramun? Why does Ramun want to impress Ruiz?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 624 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample