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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. A radio host tells his listeners about a famous landmark designed by whom?

2. Who writes a song about the Special Service?

3. General Tiger Collazos and other Peruvian Army commanders feel that apprehending fugitives would be better handled by whom?

4. A mayor tries to make Olga's murder look like it was done by whom?

5. After the Special Service is shut down, Pantoja is instructed to meet with Victoria and Collazos, where?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to a couple that elopes in Chapter 6?

2. How does Olga die?

3. Why does Pantoja put on his uniform in Chapter 10?

4. How do other officers feel about Pantoja, according to Mendoza?

5. Why does Panjota feel like his military career is in shambles?

6. What does Sinchi say about Pantoja on-air the first time he talks about him?

7. Describe Leonor's dream at the beginning of Chapter 10.

8. What happens at the end of Chapter 8 when news of the Special Service starts to spread?

9. What happens when Chuchupe and Wong try to convince Pantoja to leave the military and go into business with them?

10. What is the "House of Iron"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the author's use of written correspondences in the novel. Describe two instances where the author makes use of letters or memos. What purpose do they serve for the reader? Why do you think the author employs so many of them as opposed to writing in traditional narrative style?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the use of foreshadowing in Pocha's letter to her little sister. What does she think is happening with Pantoja? Why does she seem to have this bad feeling? What techniques does the author use to let the reader know this is foreshadowing and not just character development for Pocha? How does her foreshadowing eventually come to fruition?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 810 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample