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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. When Alfonso and Sonya are on the bridge, what does he notice about the helicopter overhead?

2. Alfonso says there is such fire from what?

3. How much does Sonya and Alfonso’s daughter weigh at birth?

4. What does the sign say that is hanging around Sonya’s neck?

5. What does Alfonso say about his wife’s words and actions in “Before the War, We Made a Child”?

Short Essay Questions

1. In “As Soldiers March, Alfonso Covers the Boy’s Face with a Newspaper,” how does Sonya react to her cousin’s murder?

2. In “Alfonso Stands Answerable,” to whom does Alfonso say he is answerable?

3. In “Alfonso, in Snow,” what does the speaker say about himself?

4. What happens in “Central Square?”

5. What takes place in “Soldiers Aim at Us?”

6. In “A Dog Sniffs,” what happens to Sonya?

7. In “Lullaby,” what does Alfonso say will protect his daughter?

8. What does “Gunshot” say about the country of the characters in this story?

9. How does Alfonso react to his wife’s murder?

10. What does the speaker say in “For His Wife”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alfonso is in shock that his wife, the door-slammer, is dead and he, the fool, is alive. Are you, the reader, as shocked as he is? Why or why not? How are others in this poetry collection door-slammers or fools? What does this say about people? What is the message given to the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Momma Galya's behavior is astonishing to those in her community. How do her actions show her intelligence, bravery, and commitment to her homeland? How does the poet reveal her to be both thick-skinned and soft? What leads to her downfall? How do the reactions of her fellow townspeople ultimately destroy her in a way the invading army never could? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The poet calls the puppeteers who murder the soldiers "beautiful women of Vasenka." What does the poet mean by this? How are they beautiful? Are their actions beautiful? Why or why not?

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This section contains 780 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample