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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. Who is sitting on the couch listening to the confrontation between mother and daughter on Friday?

2. In "Friday," Chapter Three, Rafa sends his attention in the direction of the wife, and, noticing, what does she do?

3. "Friday," Chapter Eight begins with the children at what age?

4. In a shop that purchased Rosalinda’s sewing, she stood next to the Explorer for the first time. What about him attracted her attention?

5. What does Rosalinda hope the plates and bowls can do for her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Rufina and Rafa treat their mother, upon returning to their home in "Friday," Chapter Six?

2. How has the death of their mother affected Rufina and Rafa, at the beginning of the story?

3. Describe Rufina's and Rafa's performance.

4. What do the children know about their mother's ancestors?

5. What does the narrator say about listening to the earth, in "Friday," Chapter Nine?

6. How are the Original Enduring Ones described?

7. What do we know about the relationship between Officer Armijo and Rufina, based on the the "Friday" section of the book?

8. How do Rufina and Baby behave towards one another?

9. How does the angel see Rufina in "Friday," Chapter Nine?

10. How do both Rafa and Rufina feel about the presence of their dead mother, in the beginning of this book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story begins with Rufina singing a melancholy song about a lost baby. Throughout the course of the book, what is learned about this lost baby? How does this loss affect Rufina? How does it affect the entire family? How does the entire situation surrounding this baby affect this family? How does this support themes of loss and resiliency?

Essay Topic 2

At various times the narrator describes the world in which the characters live, as if it is a living, breathing thing. Why might she do this? What is the connection between this and the story and its characters? Do you find this benefits or progresses the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Lucio forever regrets not being able to save Rufina from the Explorer. How is this seen in his day to day life? How does the end of the book allow him to redeem himself? What might this mean for his future?

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