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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 many giant manta's does Ruiz claim to have killed in the past?

2. How many days pass between Mr. Salazar disposing of the pearl and the celebration held in La Paz?

3. What time does the storm finally blow over?

4. Who refuses to attend the celebration held in La Paz?

5. What does the Manta Diablo represent to Ramun?

Short Essay Questions

1. After the Sevillano harpoons the manta and the manta changes course, where is the manta pulling the boat to?

2. Using details from the text, describe how the Sevillano died.

3. How does the Sevillano react when Ramun tells him that it is the Manta Diablo that almost drowned them and their boat?

4. After the pearl is discovered to be missing, why doesn't Ramun tell the truth about the pearl?

5. Why is Ramun no longer as annoyed by the Sevillano after he finds the large pearl?

6. Using details from the text, describe Ramun's time in the church after the funeral for the men lost at sea in the storm.

7. How does Ramun feel about the two greatest happenings in all the history of La Paz?

8. When Ramun returns to the lagoon, why isn't he afraid of the Manta Diablo?

9. Where is the Pearl of Heaven placed to rest on the Madonna statue?

10. Why does Ramun believe that the Indian on the hill might help him if Ramun explains why he has landed on their island?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using details from the text, compare and contrast the physical appearance of the Manta Diablo as described by Ramun's mother and the other mothers in the village. How do the various descriptions of the Manta Diablo show how a superstition or legend can change over time and from person to person?

Essay Topic 2

Using details from the text, discuss how Ramun changed his beliefs when he realized the true nature of his father's death. What fact about Mr. Salazar's death causes Ramun to realize that he has been wrong about the pearl? Who tells Ramun about the true nature of his father's death? Would Ramun steal the pearl and attempt to return it to the Manta Diablo if he knew the truth about his father's death?

Essay Topic 3

Using details from the text and class discussions, compare and contrast the old wives tales of what the Manta Diablo looked like and the actual look of the Manta Diablo that Ramun witnessed and described in the story. How is the manta the same as the folktales, and how is it different from the tales?

(see the answer keys)

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