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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why was there no wake for Tante Denise?
(a) Wakes are not part of Haitian culture.
(b) Joseph feared the gangs in the neighborhood might storm the house during a wake.
(c) Denise had to be buried too quickly for a wake.
(d) Joseph was too sad to hold a wake for Denise.

2. What is Tante Denise known for wearing throughout her life?
(a) Elaborate wigs.
(b) Fake eyelashes.
(c) Only black clothes.
(d) Very high-heeled shoes.

3. What does Danticat's father give her on her second day in the United States?
(a) A fountain pen.
(b) A typewriter.
(c) A phone.
(d) A notebook.

4. Where does Joseph go after leaving the first neighbor's house he takes refuge in in October 2004?
(a) Maxo's house.
(b) A neighboring church.
(c) Mira's house.
(d) Man Jou's house.

5. Why does Danticat suspect Joseph was treated so badly by U.S. Customs and Immigration officials?
(a) He was flagged because of his religion.
(b) He may have been abrasive and disrespectful to the officials.
(c) He was suffering from dementia.
(d) He may have fallen victim to old and biased policies under which Haitians were detained and deported in larger numbers than other immigrant groups.

6. Which person was sworn in as president of Haiti in 1991?
(a) Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
(b) Papa Doc Duvalier.
(c) Baby Doc Duvalier.
(d) Daniel Fignole.

7. What does Danticat mistake the fire escape for?
(a) A set of stairs for the pet cat and dog.
(b) The apartment's back steps.
(c) A link between their apartment and their neighbors.
(d) A terrace.

8. Which of Danticat's brothers immediately hugs her when she arrives in the United States at the family's apartment?
(a) Karl.
(b) Bob.
(c) Nick.
(d) Kelly.

9. What does Joseph suggest to Danticat before he leaves to go back to Haiti in September 2004 that could help Mira?
(a) He suggests Danticat ask her church friends to pray for Mira.
(b) He suggests Danticat try an herbal remedy on Mira that he brought from Haiti.
(c) He suggests Danticat take Mira to physical therapy every other day.
(d) He suggests that Danticat bring a Haitian doctor to New York that could help Mira.

10. How does Marie Micheline die?
(a) She is shot.
(b) She reportedly dies of a heart attack in the midst of a violent outbreak in her neighborhood.
(c) She dies of cancer.
(d) She dies in childbirth.

11. What does Joseph carry under his arm when he visits Mira in the hospital in 2004?
(a) A Bible.
(b) Flowers.
(c) A pack of cigarettes.
(d) An oxygen tank.

12. What does the giant velvet painting in Danticat's childhood apartment depict?
(a) George Washington and the cherry tree.
(b) The Last Supper.
(c) The Crucifixtion.
(d) The French Rvolution.

13. What does Danticat think her bedclothes in the United States smell like?
(a) Moth balls.
(b) Chanel perfume.
(c) Citronella and vetiver.
(d) Soap.

14. What does Tante Denise think Marie Micheline really died from?
(a) Neglect.
(b) Anger.
(c) Sadness.
(d) Fright.

15. What does Mira tell the children about the fire escape?
(a) Never to go out on it.
(b) It is a very American thing.
(c) It has magical powers.
(d) It is completely unnecessary.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Tante Denise die of?

2. What does the quote that Danticat uses to start Part Two of the book say that a brother is born for?

3. Why does Danticat sense that Bob eats so much during their first dinner with their parents in the United States?

4. How does Joseph convince Maxo to leave him there in his house after all the violence in October 2004?

5. What earlier historical tragedy does the asylum system and process sometimes remind Danticat of?

(see the answer keys)

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