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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 is the profession of Julio's landlord?

2. What does Hector want to do now but Julio tells him they will do later?

3. Julio spends the whole evening ____________________.

4. Why are Hector and Mando in big trouble if the robbers come after them?

5. What is Julio's landlord doing when Julio and the boys return home?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Julio turn into the stereotype of the typical Latin male?

4. What is the first trick that Hector tries to get rid of Freddie?

5. How does Hector react when he hears Freddie's creepy voice on the answering machine?

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

7. How does Uncle Julio take control of the situation when he arrives home?

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

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

10. Describe what the boys do when they walk around the mall for awhile after dinner.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Gary Soto's use of regionalism in the book. Cite examples of at least two different instances of regionalism and explain why the author used them where he did.

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 Vicky. What did she look like? What were her positive personality traits? What were her dreams and fears? What was most valuable to her in her world?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,102 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample