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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 is Hortensia?

2. At the beginning of Chapter 4, what family friend helps the Ortegas and their friends leave Mexico?

3. When the traveling group reaches the wagon, what is it that Hortensia predicts that Tio Luis has already bragged about?

4. What is Abelitia's parting gift to Esperanza?

5. Who is Ramona?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the symbolism of the author having Alfonso and his son Miguel be the ones who return to the ranch with the dead body of Papa?

2. In what way is the character of Tio Luis a stock character, in this case, the villain?

3. In what way is the ruined rose garden a symbol?

4. What do the "line up" of dolls in Esperanza's room represent?

5. In addition to Esperanza's father's death, what else is awful about the way in which Esperanza wakes on on her birthday?

6. What has Papa said about Tio Luis and Tio Marco that suggest that they are not men he admires?

7. Mama seems quick to interpret Esperanza's cut finger as a omen involving her husband. Why might she be preoccupied with his safety at this time?

8. When Esperanza sees Tio Luis in her father's office, why is Esperanza unhappy to see Tio Luis wearing Papa's belt buckle?

9. In what way does the author's description of what survived the fire reveal the degree of ruin?

10. How does Miguel show his allegiance to his family in the midst of the fire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Through the trials and experiences of the Ortega family, the reader is given a portrayal of the life of Mexican workers in the United States. What is the impression that Ryan gives of this life and what are the central events or images that contribute to this portrayal?

Essay Topic 2

Ramona, Esperanza's mother, undergoes a dramatic change in status. Discuss and evaluate Ramona as a role model for Esperanza.

Essay Topic 3

In the first chapter of Esperanza Rising, Papa instills a love of the land in Esperanza. There are several ways in which the characters can be categorized. One way is that are those who "love the land" and those who do not. Examine the love and respect for the land through the characters that are aligned with Papa with respect to the land, and how this love "gives back" to them.

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