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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 Mr. Yakota?

2. When Chapter 8 begins, Esperanza begins her first day of work alone. What is one of her main duties at this time?

3. With regard to strikers, what have Miguel's experiences been?

4. At the market, what does Esperanza buy to give to her mother?

5. What is one thing the workers do NOT find among asparagus bundles?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the doctor comes to examine Mama and diagnose her illness, how does Esperanza react?

2. How does Esperanza's babysitting skills progress as Chapter 8 develops?

3. In what way could one see that there is even a subtle class system inherent among migrant workers?

4. How does the sequence of events from Miguel and Esperanza's argument, to her money missing work to cast suspicion on Miguel as the thief?

5. What is the symbolic significance of the the shrine Alfonso and Miguel erect?

6. Comment on the image of communal life at this work camp once the work day is over that Ryan portrays in Chapter 7.

7. Where are Esperanza's sympathies with regard to the strikers?

8. At dinner when the family discusses the strike and its progress, how does Miguel's outlook differ from his father's outlook about the support for the strike?

9. In Chapter 9, when Esperanza brings the blanket to the hospital, why do she and Mama cry?

10. Isabel wants to be the May Day Queen. When she tells Esperanza this, what is ironic about her reason for wanting to be this queen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All of the chapter titles of this novel are names of fruit. After reading the novel, explain why Pam Munoz Ryan, the author might have chosen to title the chapters in this way.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 2 of Esperanza Rising, Esperanza is at a low point and her grandmother reminds her of a story she has told Esperanza many times, the myth of the phoenix rising out of its own ashes. What is inspirational about this myth and why is it appropriate that Abuelita, rather than any other character, be the one to refer to this myth at this time?

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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