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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 long does it take Pantoja, Caiguas and Rioalto to clean and organize their new work site?

2. Rioalto and Caiguas are noted as having a certain indifference toward what type of people?

3. What is the name of the memorandum from Pantoja to Collazos at the beginning of Chapter 2?

4. What country does the novel take place in when it opens?

5. What does Pocha's new friend do for Pocha and herself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Pantoja begin receiving complaints from military posts?

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

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

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

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

6. What is Dispatch Number One?

7. What instructions does Air Force Colonel Andrés Sarmiento Segovia give about a hydroplane called Delilah?

8. Why are Sinforoso Caiguas and Palominos Rioalto chosen to assist Pantoja and his new operation?

9. What does Pantoja tell Collazos about red porpoise oil?

10. What is the success level of the Special Service's pilot mission?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the author's use of comedy or humor in his novel. What instances of humor do you notice? Why do you think the author wrote his book with this tone in mind? Considering the subject matter, are you surprised by the lightheartedness of the novel as a whole?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Olga's murder to the rest of the novel? Why do you think Olga is killed off in the story? Are you surprised by her fate? Why or why not? How does her murder move the plot of the story along? Do you think it is significant that her murder is the result of a botched plan to kidnap and rape her? Why do you think Vargas Llosa chooses to kill her this way and not actually be purposefully be murdered by Moray and his men?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the character Sinchi and his role in the novel. How does he relate to other characters? What narrative function does he serve? What is the significance of his hypocrisy and his manipulative personality? What does the author seem to be saying through his character?

(see the answer keys)

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