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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 do many of Juan's post cards depict?

2. What does Juan tend to do when not working?

3. What type of vegetables do gauchos eat?

4. What does Maria tell Luisa?

5. To whom does the Pampas "sing"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kerchief does Juan decide to wear and why?

2. Who comes to see Chúcaro?

3. Who is the mayordomo to whom Juan is accountable?

4. Who is Gitana and how does she help Chúcaro?

5. What does Jose think is the reason Juan wears a red kerchief?

6. Why are people hurrying home from church?

7. What is Juan's relationship to Pedro?

8. What do the gauchos love to do when they gather?

9. What does Maria think about Juan and his red kerchief?

10. What mystery is discussed in Chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Chucaro is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Chucaro help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Chucaro? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Chucaro to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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