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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 luxury does Celaya's family have that makes them feel rich?

2. What was left unfinished when the Awful Grandmother's mother died?

3. What is "feo, fuerte, y formal"?

4. Every year Celaya forgets about the stark differences in ______________ in the U.S. and Mexico.

5. What did Celaya's grandmother say when Celaya's hair was chopped off as a girl?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Celaya's house and its furnishings.

3. How was Senora Regina both kind and cruel to Soledad?

4. Why is Candelaria removed from the Reyes home?

5. Describe Mother's hysterical fit in the car in Acapulco.

6. What does the family do when they arrive in Acapulco?

7. Describe Narciso Reyes.

8. What are the circumstances that have Soledad moving into the Reyes household with Narciso's family?

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

10. Who are Celaya's father and two uncles and what type of business do they have in Chicago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one theme in the book related to Hispanic culture. Identify at least two themes in the novel and then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the book's title--CARAMELO. Why did Cisneros choose this title? Is there an understood message in the title? Is there another title you can suggest that might be more appropriate?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Cisneros' use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where she did.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,208 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample