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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 Juan's daughter's name?

2. When Ramona discusses family choices with Hortensia and her family, where does Hortensia and her family make it known they are going?

3. What detail about the camp makes Marta realize how little privacy she will have?

4. Why couldn't Miguel work on the railroad in Mexico?

5. What is Abuelita's opinion of Ramona's idea of how they will survive and support themselves?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. How does Miguel help Esperanza in her adjustment to work when she is left to do household chores?

4. In the beginning of the story, the reader sees two parents who love their daughter. What kind of life do Esperanza's parents prepare her for?

5. How does Papa impart his love of the land to Esperanza?

6. How does Senor Rodriguez's gift of papayas renew the grief Esperanza already feels for the loss of her father?

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

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. When Esperanza and Miguel get off the train at a temporary stop, Miguel explains a scenario that is apparently inexplicable to Esperanza. What is this scenario?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How might the concept of family be part of a theme of Esperanza Rising?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The characters in Esperanza Rising go from riches to rags. Explore the theme of becoming richer in some sense while actually becoming poorer in the economic sense. How is this notion developed as a theme?

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