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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 many new prostitutes are hired for the Special Service in Chapter 5?

2. What have The Brothers of the Ark been doing in Pantoja's workspace before he gets there?

3. What is The Brothers of the Ark?

4. What is Collazos' first name?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the dispatch from Rear Admiral Carrillo, Chief of the River Forces of the Amazon to Captain Pantoja's superiors say?

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

3. Why is Mother Leonor having a hard time in Iquitos?

4. How has Pocha adapted to life in Iquitos?

5. What have Poncio and his devotees been working on?

6. What is Dispatch Number One?

7. What happens when Sinchi, a popular local radio personality, visits the command post for the first time to have a discussion with Pantoja?

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

9. Why does Pochita think Pantoja is up to no good after their first night in Iquitos?

10. What does Pocha say in a letter to her sister Chichi in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the circular narrative of the ending. Why do you think Pantoja's life goes back to normal in the end? What do you think he has learned from this whole experience? Were you surprised by the ending? What do you think the author is trying to say with this ending?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the way Olga is portrayed through a series of newspaper articles? How is she depicted in these articles? Explore the contradictions around her portrayal? How has Olga been portrayed in the novel prior to the newspaper articles? Does your opinion of her change at all after reading this chapter? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the way Pantoja's sense of family seems to change throughout the novel. Where do his priorities lie? Describe Pantoja's relationship with his coworkers in the Special Service. What is their dynamic? How does his relationship with his relatives change throughout the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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