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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 is Leonor related to Pantoja?

2. The Navy vessel that Pantoja and the Special Service are allowed to use was used for a mission in Colombia in what year?

3. What is the name of the club where Pocha and her friend see Pantoja out with shady people?

4. What is the city where Pocha and Leonor went to hear a famous religious man speak?

5. What time does Pantoja return home after his first day in his new town?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Pantoja happy at the beginning of Chapter 5?

2. On what conditions is the Special Service allowed to use a Navy boat?

3. Why are people in Moronacocha heralding a young boy as a martyr?

4. What do Pocha and Alicia spend their time doing?

5. What does Pocha tell Chichi about Leonor's following of Brother Fransisco?

6. What is Dispatch Number 2?

7. What is Dispatch Number One?

8. Why are Pantoja's coworkers concerned about him spending time with a woman named Olga?

9. Where does Pantoja's family hope he relocates?

10. Why is Captain Pantoja being relocated in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the theme of excess in the book. Where does the reader see excess in the book? What do the characters in the book seem to be obsessed with? Why do you think people give themselves over to their desires so easily? Why is the setting of the story important to the theme of excess? What does the author seem to be saying about excesses?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the use of names in the book. Consider the names Vargas Llosa gives his characters. Which ones stand out to you the most? Why? Why do you think the author gives his characters such colorful names? What sort of tone do these interesting names add to the book?

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of the dream Pantoja has in which Olga becomes his wife? How does this dream seem to affect him while he is having it? What is the overall tone of the dream? How does he seem to feel about the women in his life in the dream? Why do you think the dream contains several instances of mistaken identity?

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