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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 years did the Mexican revolution last?

2. Where did Narciso live during the Mexican revolution?

3. What does Celaya tell her father that she wants to do?

4. Who wants Narciso to marry Soledad?

5. Why is the boy in #157 talked out of marrying Celaya?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the chaos of the Mexican Revolution.

2. What illness befalls the Grandmother and how does the family react after her death?

3. How does Fina feel about her mother, Soledad, after her father dies?

4. What advice did people give Soledad about taking care of herself as a young woman?

5. Who is Ernie and what role does he play in Celaya's life?

6. What is Narciso's relationship with Soledad when they begin having sex?

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

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

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

10. What are the Grandmother's real intentions regarding the house in San Antonio?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Zoila. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Zoila?

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for Celaya's life. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, socialization, etc.

Essay Topic 3

Cisneros uses more than one instance of irony in the story. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony. What is the major irony in the story? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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