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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. What is the narrator staring at as the story opens?

2. What was the name of Narciso's household?

3. Where does Inocencio decide to take his family?

4. What is the Grandfather's name?

5. What was the most striking feature that the young Narciso Reyes had?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Grandmother try to hurt Mother by telling her a secret?

2. Describe Narciso Reyes.

3. To what location did Celaya's family travel each year and why did they travel as a family?

4. Explain the nice lifestyle shared by Uncle Baby and Aunty Ninfa.

5. How do the family stories foreshadow what will come in the novel?

6. Why does Celaya's afternoon out with her mother turn into a family crisis?

7. What kindness does the Grandfather show Celaya when the Grandmother ridicules her for not eating the mole?

8. How many children are in Celaya's family and what distinction does she have?

9. Describe the Awful Grandmother's life after her mother died.

10. Describe Celaya's house and its furnishings.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one theme in the novel. Identify at least two themes in the story and then cite an example to support each theme.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples, making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

The author is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, then briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

(see the answer keys)

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