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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. Why does the owl cry out in alarm in Chapter 7?

2. Who do the brothers believe will be the answer to their career dilemma?

3. What occupation was Antonio's father before marrying his mother?

4. What will Ultima use to rid Lucas of the Trementina daughters' curse?

5. Antonio lives at home with his parents and two sisters. Where are his three brothers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What role does Ultima's owl play?

2. Why is Sunday a polarizing day of the week for the Marez family?

3. What is the importance of Antonio receiving his First Communion on Easter Sunday?

4. What are the customs for the Marez family upon arriving in El Puerto?

5. What are some of the questions Antonio is unsure of as he rides in Uncle Pedro's truck?

6. Why was the owl special to Antonio?

7. What happened to Antonio his first day of school?

8. In Chapter 15, what does Antonio's father reminisce about happier times with his sons?

9. What did Narcisco do when he realized he would not be able to get to the Marez home to warn Ultima of Tenorio's revenge?

10. Describe the sights and sounds of harvest time in El Puerto.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shamanism is based on the belief that the visible world is pervaded by invisible forces or spirits that affect the lives of the living. In shamanism, certain animals guide or give power to that person. What types of power or guiding do you believe is transferred to humans? What examples of shamanism are included in the novel? Aside from animals, what other examples of shamanism are cited in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Rudolfo Anaya, the author, believes the supernatural and ordinary reality exist side by side. What are some examples of the supernatural in the novel? What are examples of ordinary reality in the novel? Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Bless Me, Ultima is a novel detailing a boy's rite-of-passage towards maturity. What are the key events marking Tony's maturity within the novel? How does the novel fall into this genre? Compare this novel to another rite-of-passage novel, such as Huckleberry Finn.

(see the answer keys)

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