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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Juan making?

2. What does Señor Muñez not realize about Armando?

3. What causes Señor Muñez a great deal of stress?

4. What does Muñez say about Chúcaro?

5. To whom does Armando's mother leave most of his upbringing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of Chucaro, Pedro grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Chucaro might be considered a slice of Pedro's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that Chucaro is a "bildungsroman" of Pedro. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Pedro as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, boy. What are the significant events that change Pedro?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Pedro's growth throughout Chucaro, do you think Chucaro could be considered Pedro's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Chucaro who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Chucaro and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Chucaro is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Francis Kalnay.

2. What in Kalnay's background may have helped him in writing Chucaro? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

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