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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. Where does Olga move after a missionary kills himself over her?

2. Who reprimands Pantoja for the way Olga's eulogy was handled?

3. Who informs Pantoja that a prostitute and a sergeant have eloped?

4. Who is upset about being left out of the song written about the Special Service?

5. What is the name of the newspaper that reports Olga's death?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does a supposedly anonymous letter from Sinchi to Panjota say?

3. How do members of the Army feel about Brother Francisco?

4. What does a letter to Sinchi from disgruntled citizens say?

5. Why do Morey and several young men from Requena decide to kidnap prostitutes from the Special Service?

6. What is surprising about Olga's funeral?

7. What is the "House of Iron"?

8. How does Maclovia behave during her radio interview with Sinchi?

9. What information does Maclovia reveal during her radio interview that outrages listeners?

10. Describe Pantoja's relationship with Olga.

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

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 3

What is the significance of the "The Hymn of the Special Service"? Why do you think Pantoja provides the lyrics to his superiors? How does he feel about the song? What is the significance of his feelings about the song? Thinking about the lyrics, how do the prostitutes seem to feel about their jobs? Why do you think the author shows the reader the prostitutes' take on their jobs?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 835 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample