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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 insects bite Rafa and Carlos in Chapter 5?

2. Who loans Carlos her glasses in Chapter 19?

3. What is the only comic book that Carlos has taken on his outing in Chapter 2?

4. What holiday is mentioned in the first sentence of Chapter 2?

5. What type of car does Carlos ride to school?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Chapter 7, what happened to Cuba after Fidel came to power?

2. How did Carlos's grandfather Amado die, and how old was he?

3. Where does Carlos see the Cuba-shaped clouds, and how does he feel about them?

4. How do Louis XVI's staff members treat him and his family? Why?

5. How does Carlos feel about the poster he made in fourth grade?

6. What are the various Christmas traditions at the Nieto house, as described in Chapter 10?

7. Why is Carlos suddenly not allowed to see 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea?

8. As discussed in Chapter 17, describe the Chinese man's profession.

9. Explain the gift exchange between Carlos and Aunt Lucía that is discussed in Chapter 18.

10. Explain Carlos's third proof for the existence of God, as related in Chapter 11.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two symbols that signify unrelated concepts, and then, using your literary sensibilities, create some common ground between them based on the material you find in the book. Remember that symbols can carry many different levels of meaning and that you can espouse any position you are capable of defending.

Essay Topic 2

Describe in detail Carlos's experiences with and feelings about lizards. What do the lizards symbolize? How does Carlos relate to them at various points in his life?

Essay Topic 3

Identify two symbols of fear in the book. How are they similar, and how are they different? What other symbolic significances do they carry? Support your opinions with details from the book as much as possible.

(see the answer keys)

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