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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. Who does Uncle Julio call?

2. What makes the police happy when they arrive at Julio's apartment?

3. What does Julio tell the boys to do after dinner?

4. Where do Hector and Mando recall seeing Freddie and Huey when they encounter them in Dr. Femur's office?

5. How have Hector and Mando secured Freddie and Huey?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Hector and Mando do to prevent Freddie and Huey from coming up the stairs to the apartment?

2. Who is Dr. Femur and how do Hector and Mando meet him?

3. What is the song about the dog the boys hear on the radio and how does it symbolize their lives?

4. What does Hector do in Julio's apartment that makes the boys more vulnerable?

5. Why does Vicky apologize to the boys again and what do she and the boys do at the apartment that takes all night?

6. How are Hector and Mando finally able to capture and tie up the robbers?

7. How are Freddie and Huey in conflict about what to do to the boys?

8. How does the author use dialogue between Freddie and Uncle Julio and the boys to point out the error of stealing?

9. What qualities and experiences do Hector and Mando have that allow them to survive the encounter with the robbers?

10. How does Hector's innocence exhibit when he is scared and trying to convince himself that the robbers are not coming after them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of struggle. Identify at least two instances about struggle in the book and then cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Uncle Julio. What did he look like? What were his positive personality traits? What were his dreams and fears? What was most valuable to him in his world?

(see the answer keys)

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