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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 Ramona?

2. What word most accurately describes how everyone on the ranch feels about the presence of the visitors who seem to take over Papa's study?

3. During their handiwork lesson in Chapter 1, what snack is brought to Esperanza and her grandmother?

4. In the recollection that Hortensia told about bandits in the house, where did she say that she hid with Esperanza?

5. What does Mama do for the child who interrupted Esperanza's playing on the train?

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

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

4. What is significant about Esperanza's reaction to the odors that she now smells among the peasants and on the train?

5. How does Esperanza'a reaction to her fellow travelers on the family trip from Mexico to California compare or contrast to her mother's reaction to them?

6. When all are planning to work in California, Esperanza says she will work, and everyone laughs. What tone did the author intend for this laugh?

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

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

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

10. How does the train ride Esperanza takes with her mother and Miguel's family compare or contrast with the previous train trip that Esperanza and Miguel took together with her father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

In what way is Esperanza Rising a work of socially responsible historical fiction?

Essay Topic 3

In Esperanza Rising there are numerous references to religion, praying, and engaging "spirits" of dead people in conversations or decisions. Discuss the role spirituality plays in the lives of the characters of Esperanza Rising.

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