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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. Where does Negra live?

2. What does Julio tell Blanca the blood on his jacket is?

3. Who painted the piece of art Julio meets Bodega in front of at the Museo?

4. What does the painting Julio meets Bodega in front of depict?

5. Why does Julio owe Negra at the end of Round 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Blanca tell Julio she liked him from the beginning?

2. Who does Blanca tell Julio that her Aunt Veronica married?

3. What does Julio think about general relationships between Puerto Ricans and Cubans?

4. Why does Julio go to see Blanca's sister Negra?

5. Why does Bodega think Vera will want to get back together with him?

6. What does Bodega tell Julio he wants for the neighborhood?

7. In Part II, why has Negra stabbed her husband Victor?

8. How does Sapo speak about women in Part I?

9. How does real estate ownership fit into Bodega's plans?

10. What was basic, simple street politics, according to Julio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Julio decides to help the older immigrant man and his grandson from Puerto Rico himself when they tell him they are looking for Bodega? What does Julio's selfless gesture and the immigrants themselves represent? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What does the violence between Negra and her husband Victor reveal about their marriage? How does Quinonez treat themes like marital fidelity throughout the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What do you think the Santeria ritual reveals about Willie Bodega and about his feelings for Vera? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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