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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. How often does Rose take the items from Eliza's dowry out to protect them from humidity and moths?

2. How does Tao Chi'en get separated from his family?

3. Who does Jacob fall in love with?

4. Who is responsible for separating Rose and Karl?

5. On what night must Mama Fresia terminate Eliza's pregnancy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the kind of wife Tao Chi'en is looking for.

2. Why is Tao Chi'en particularly interested in helping young sex slaves?

3. How does fate intervene for Eliza at the end of "The News"?

4. Why don't Rose Sommers and Mama Fresia try to stop Eliza from delivering her letter to Joaquin?

5. How does Mama Fresia find out that Eliza is seeing Joaquin?

6. Why does Paulina want John to be the captain of her steamship?

7. What items does Eliza take with her to California?

8. In what way is Rose's father more similar to her than to his sons?

9. What character traits are listed that England and Chile share?

10. How does John convince Jacob to go back to England with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tao Chi'en is mentioned as far back as the first chapter, but he is not included in the plot until the eighth chapter. What reason would Allende have for mentioning his name several times in the narrative early on? Is it surprising when he is officially introduced?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Lin's ghost? How does she help to move the plot along? What does she represent for Tao Chi'en?

Essay Topic 3

The sage's theory is that happiness comes from serving others. If this idea is accurate, which characters in the story should be the happiest? Do they seem happy? Which characters seem the least happy? Use examples from the novel to support your ideas.

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This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample