View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a currycomb?

2. What is a physical feature of the mayordomo near Juan and Pedro?

3. What does Juan have many of in his home?

4. Who are Pedro's gaucho friends?

5. How was the table in Juan's home made?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is an estanciero and what does the estanciero do?

2. Why are people hurrying home from church?

3. Briefly describe Pedro's father.

4. What does the mayordomo know and what does he not yet know?

5. What are some of the jobs of the mayordomo?

6. What happens after Armando's bola strikes Chúcaro?

7. What does the Vaquero say that angers the mayordomo and what is the reaction of those listening to the Vaquero?

8. Who does the estanciero leave the decision-making up to and why?

9. How is Juan different from most of the gauchos?

10. Briefly describe Pedro.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Chucaro. Questions that Kalnay most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Kalnay' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Kalnay' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Kalnay and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

Muñez did not realize that his son Armando was terrible spoiled. In fact, he had paid little attention to his son. Armando's mother was worn out of taking care of him, so she focused on helping others while she let Armando's tutors tend to him.

1. Discuss what you see are the failings in a father who does not realize his son is spoiled. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What are some of the effects that might be seen in Armando as a person from his father ignoring him. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss the ways in which Pedro, who has Juan, a guardian who pays a great deal of attention to him, has a better life than Armando. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 785 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample