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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. Early in Chapter 11, what is Esperanza's criticism of the strikers?

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

3. On the evening of the first dinner at Esperanza's cabin, what do the adults complain of?

4. When asparagus season begins and the truck arrives to take Esperanza, Hortensia, and Josefina to the field, what does a man have to protect them?

5. On Christmas day, what does Esperanza give her mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Miguel's attitude toward his job being taken away differ from Esperanza's position about this injustice?

2. Chapter 10 is entitled Los Aguacates, the avocados. Why is this a meaningful title for this particular chapter?

3. What is the significance of Esperanza's visit to the hospital on Christmas Day?

4. 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?

5. In Chapter 9, when Mama is in the hospital, describe the quality of Esperanza's care giving.

6. When Esperanza details the things she misses about her mother, why is she so surprised at herself?

7. How does the short, intimate exchange Mama and Esperanza have after the jamaica effect Esperanza's mood?

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

9. In Chapter 9, before Mama is in the hospital, how does the reader see that her illness affects all?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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?

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