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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 children do Inocencio and his wife have?

2. Who would become another child of Soledad's?

3. What year of school does Celaya enter at her new school?

4. Who took Soledad's place in Inocencio's heart?

5. What is the name of Soledad's child?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the glittering growth in Mexico in 1910.

2. What role does storytelling play in the family's life?

3. What does Celaya learn about herself as a freshman, and who is the friend who takes her under her wing?

4. How does the Grandmother's behavior depress Celaya?

5. What are the conditions under which Inocencio is able to buy the San Antonio house?

6. What is the Grandmother's demeanor in Chicago and why does she not buy her own home?

7. What major purchase does Inocencio make without consulting Zoila and how does she react when she learns about it?

8. Describe the chaos of the Mexican Revolution.

9. Why does Celaya want to leave school and what is her father's response to her idea?

10. Describe Celaya's encounter with the Grandmother's ghost in Inocencio's hospital room.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall ethnic culture for the book. What influences does ethnicity have on Cisneros' novel? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues reflected in the work?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,081 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample